Etta Blaine Huntley

ETTA BLAINE BLANKENSHIP HUNTLEY Etta Blaine Blankenship Huntley, 86, of 330 Sugar Hollow Rd., Fairview, died Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Pardee Hospital after a period of declining heath. Born on October 17, 1921, in Barnardsville, she was a daughter of the late Oscar Francis and Margaret Whittemore Blankenship, of Fairview. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, G.F. "Francis" Huntley, who died in 2005; three brothers, Freneau, Olin, and Francis Blankenship; and one sister, Marjorie Miller, all from the Asheville area. She received her education in Buncombe Co., graduating from Fairview High School in 1938. She then entered Asheville Normal and Teachers College where she received her degree in elementary education in 1942. She later did graduate studies work at the University of South Carolina and at UNC-Asheville. After graduating from college she spent the next 30 plus years as a devoted elementary school teacher for various grades in red Oak, Sandy Mush, Taylors, SC, Polkville, NC, Hendersonville, and Fairview. She also worked several summers during WWII in Washington, DC, in the Census Bureau, Corps. of Engineers, and State and Defense Departments, helping in the war effort to keep our country free. She truly was a part of the Greatest Generation. "Minkie" dearly loved God and found peace in His Grace. She touched many lives. On many occasions when she was shopping at a mall, or eating at a restaurant, former students would come up to her and tell her how much she had influenced their loves. She leaves quite a legacy. She will be greatly missed. Mrs. Huntley is survived by her son, Gerry Huntley and wife Judy, of Taylors, SC; grandson, Bob Huntley, of Asheville; great-granddaughter, Channing Huntley; two sisters, Carolyn Ashton, of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Martha Wright, of Asheville; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday at the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Norris Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Cane Creek Cemetery in Fairview. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 31 College Place, #D320, Asheville, NC 28801.