Ottis Farrell Blankenship, 84, of Clinton, MS, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. He was born January 2, 1934, to the late Mary Eulala Dixon and the late South H. Dixon of Johnson City, TN. Farrell graduated from Science Hill High School in Johnson City, TN and received his B.S. Business Administration from East Tennessee State University. He was active in the ROTC during his time at East TN State and went on to serve two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a Second Lieutenant. After his time in the Service he received his Masters in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and over the years attended University of Southern Mississippi and took courses in "Mass Communication" Radio, Television and Film. He married Joann Oakey Blankenship of Roanoke, VA, in July of 1958.

Farrell was an active member of First Baptist Church of Clinton. He served as a President and member of the MS Baptist Religious Education Association. While in Hattiesburg, he served as manager of Cable 6 TV for over 10 years. He was also a member of the Southern Baptist Religious Education Association and a lifetime member of the Baptist Communicator's Association. He was active in his community through the Rotary Club, P.T.A, Hattiesburg Booster Club, United Way and Campaign Chairman. He was Minister of Education/Media at FBC Hattiesburg from 1965-1983. He retired from the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board as Director of Broadcast Services in 2001.

Farrell is survived by his wife, Joann Blankenship; children, Kevin (Sylvia) Blankenship of Hattiesburg, MS, Kent Blankenship of Clinton, MS; Kirk (Maria) Blankenship of Brandon, MS, Kellie (Keith) Tadlock of Jackson, MS; grandchildren, Chase (Amanda) Blankenship, Tyler Blankenship, Jordan Blankenship, Shelby Blankenship, and Bryce Blankenship; great-grandchildren, Jack Blankenship and Luke Blankenship; sibling, Tonita Blankenship Potter and her children, Patricia May Potter and Tom P. Potter, III of Johnson City, TN. Preceded in death by Thomas P. Potter, Jr., MD and Richard C. Potter.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 14, 2018, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, MS. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Clinton, MS, on Monday, October 15, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will follow at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg, MS at 3:30 p.m. Pallbearers are Jeff Letson, Greg Carpenter, Chase Blankenship, Tyler Blankenship, Jordan Blankenship, and Bryce Blankenship.