Mary Virginia “Ginny” Blankenship Smitherman

Evans Funeral Home announces the death of Mrs. Mary Virginia “Ginny” Blankenship Smitherman who was born February 21, 1959 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Reverend Harold Lewis Blankenship and Dorothy Amos Blankenship.  As a missionary kid, she spent most of her formative years in Tripoli, Libya, and North Africa.  She attended high school in Beirut, Lebanon and London, England where she graduated from Marymount International School.

She graduated from Carson Newman College, Jefferson City, Tennessee with a BS in Medical Technology.

Ginny worked at various hospitals including Piedmont Hospital, and Children’s Heathcare of Atlanta.  In addition, she taught childbirth classes for Marietta OB/GYN and operated a music studio out of her home.  She also home schooled all four of her children.

Ginny is survived by her husband, Tom Smitherman; son, Daniel (Laura) Smitherman of Marietta, Georgia, daughters, Jessica (Chris) Tatum of Griffin, Georgia, Kara (Taylor) Thompson of Abilene, Texas, and Lydia Smitherman of the home and five grandchildren.  She is also survived by her parents Reverend Harold and Dorothy Blankenship of Ridgecrest, North Carolina, brothers, Dan Blankenship of Sugar Land, Texas and Franklin Blankenship of Ridgecrest, North Carolina.

A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at the Free Chapel Campus, 855 Northbrook Parkway, Suwanee, Georgia  30024.  To celebrate Ginny’s life, colorful and relaxed dress is encouraged.  In lieu of flowers, Ginny asked that donations be made to the Haitian Relief effort of Free Chapel.

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia. 706-367-5467.

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com