Elias Steele Blankenship's Obituary
Elias Steele Blankenship, 87, of Charlotte, NC went to be with Our Lord and Savior on February 28, 2025. Steele was born on December 30, 1937 to Ben Blankenship and Katrina (Steele) Blankenship.
Steele grew up on a dairy farm in Charlotte, where he and his brothers spent early mornings helping out on the family farm before arriving to school. He graduated in 1957 from West Mecklenburg High School, playing on the football and baseball teams. Steele served in the U.S. Air National Guard for seven years and attended Belmont Abby College for a year, before leaving to work for his father’s road grading construction company, Blankenship Construction. He and his three brothers built many highways and secondary roads in NC and SC, notably intestate 85 from Gastonia, NC to Raleigh, NC as well as sections of interstate 77 in SC. Steele later retired from Boggs Construction and Paving Company in Monroe.
Steele married the love of his life, Barbara Dellinger Blankenship. They were married for 61 years and had two daughters. Steele was a family man who loved his wife and daughters more than life itself. He was the best father, selflessly spending his time building a playhouse for his girls and riding horses with them on lazy, sunny weekend afternoons.
Nothing made Steele happier than spending time with his grandchildren, Andrew and Kendall, giving them rides on his Massey Ferguson farm tractor when they were little and spending beach vacations with them.
Steele was a man of deep faith, who loved Jesus and enjoyed reading and discussing scripture. It was important to him to raise his children in the church and teach them God’s word in the Bible. He was a member of Paw Creek Presbyterian Church for many years and loved his church family.
Steele will be remembered for his generosity and helpfulness to others. He truly believed in “helping his neighbor” and practicing it whenever the need arose. He had many interests, most all being outdoors. Steele loved the beach and over the years he spent many days fishing at the Outer Banks or Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed rebuilding car engines, deer hunting, raising a large vegetable garden, going to eat at the fish camp, following NASCAR, and watching the Carolina Panthers Football games.
Steele is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Kimberly Levinsohn (Steve); grandson, Andrew Levinsohn; granddaughter, Kendall Levinsohn. Steele was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelley Blankenship, and his three brothers, Ben, Mike and Richard Blankenship.
A private graveside service was held on March 7, 2025 at Forest Lawn West Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Pinkston presiding.
Memorials may be made to Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, 7400 Mt. Holly Rd., Charlotte, NC or the Wounded Warrior Project.
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