The body of Shelly Jackson, missing since Sunday, was found in a pine thicket approximately 200 yards from the end of Greenfield Road in the Woodlawn subdivision.
Sheriff D.J. Oakes confirmed yesterday that she died of a gunshot wound.
Medical investigator Dr. Charles Devine said at the scene that he couldn't estimate the time of death because of the condition of the body.
"There was some decomposition," he acknowledged. "I think it would be inappropriate to comment on it at this time.
"We won't be able to tell anything until we get the lab work back," the doctor added.
However Oakes said yesterday that investigators suspect she was killed sometime Sunday.
"We would like anyone that saw her vehicle to please call the sheriff's department or crimestoppers," the sheriff said.
Shelly Jackson's body was transported from the scene to the office of the medical examiner in Richmond, where an autopsy is scheduled to be performed.
Early Wednesday afternoon, investigators arrested 24-year-old Kenneth Alonzo Hodges II, of Wildflower Drive, on an unrelated charge involving a violation of his $100,000 bond.
Hodges' arrest came when investigators discovered he had violated one of the conditions of his bond, which called for him to have no contact with Shelly Jackson.
The no-contact stipulation was ordered by Judge Joel Cunningham on June 17.
Law enforcement was quick to point out that Hodges was not charged with Shelly Jackson's murder at the time of his arrest, and that law enforcement had several suspects in the murder.
"Hodges is a suspect, but we have information that Shelly Jackson could (have had a relationship with) someone else, who may be a suspect as well," Oakes said.
"(Hodges) was arrested on an unrelated charge, but he and the deceased had a relationship that would lead investigators to believe he was involved," the sheriff added.
Family members had allegedly contacted the sheriff's department and reported that Shelly had been seen in the area.
"One of the family members told us (Shelly) had been seen here and we investigated," Sheriff D.J. Oakes said Wednesday.
Oakes said investigators had searched for the missing woman late Tuesday night, but were unable to find her body in the dark.
"We found her this morning when we came back to do a daytime search," the sheriff said Wednesday.
He added that officers in his department had received a call from law enforcement in Reidsville N.C., that a 1992 Chevrolet Lumina registered to the victim had been found parked behind a motel off of a highway Monday night.
"We were tied up all day Tuesday investigating the vehicle," Oakes observed.
"There was really nothing suspicious about the vehicle, other than mud on one side and in the interior of the vehicle," he added.
The mud was consistent with mud found at the murder scene, according to the sheriff.
When investigators returned to Halifax County, they began the night search.
When they continued the search Wednesday morning, law enforcement discovered an earring (which they later discovered matched one found on the body), a pocket knife and a hair accessory along the trail.
Nearby, searchers discovered two large blood stains on the ground.
Later Wednesday morning, searchers discovered Shelly's body, which apparently had been dragged from the trail into the thicket.
The property where investigators discovered Shelly Jackson's body is owned by Kenneth Hodges' father, Kenneth A. Hodges.
The elder Hodges purchased the property in July of last year.
Virginia State Police Special Agent Troy Larue and Special Agent Richard Holt from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were called to the scene and arrived with the State Police crime scene investigation van.
Jackson, who was also facing drug-related charges according to court records, had been asked to testify against Hodges on drug conspiracy charges, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker.
Hodges has been charged with the conspiracy to distribute narcotics and firearms charges, Greenbacker said yesterday.
Investigators executed a search warrant on the residence of the younger Hodges Wednesday evening, and searched Hodges vehicle yesterday.
Greenbacker said yesterday that his office is taking the death of Shelly Jackson very seriously.
"When I found out this woman was dead, I told the sheriff to call in as much help as he needed," Greenbacker said. "We consider this to be a high priority."
Anyone who spotted Jackson's vehicle is asked to call the Halifax County Sheriff's Department at 476-3334 or Crimestoppers at 476-TIPS.

A sister's search:
Early Wednesday morning, Angela Jackson walked into the offices of the Gazette-Virginian and asked for help in finding her 24-year-old sister, Shelly Marie Jackson, missing since Sunday.
She broke down in tears as the staff prepared a missing persons circular and scanned a picture of her sister.
She waited patiently as newspaper employees prepared missing person flyers to be posted throughout the county.
"She was last seen Sunday a little after 11 a.m. in Westside Apartments," Angela said.
She added that her sister had dropped her two-year-old daughter off with a friend and was supposed to return later that evening to pick her up.
She never returned.
"No one has heard from her, not her mother, not her friends, no one," she added.
Shelly Jackson was three months pregnant.
That was early Wednesday morning.
The body of Shelly Jackson was discovered just a couple of hours later.

body:
The body of Shelly Jackson was brought out of the woods by members of the Virginia State Police Wednesday afternoon. It was transported to Richmond for an autopsy.

Arrest:
Maj. Richard Pulliam (right) and members of the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force arrest Kenneth Alonzo Hodges for a bond violation Wednesday.

Car:
Sheriff D.J. Oakes is asking that anyone who spotted this car belonging to Shelly Jackson please call the sheriff's department at 476-3334 or crimestoppers at 476-TIPS.

A 21-year-old South Boston man was sentenced Tuesday in Halifax County Circuit Court to a total of 70 years in prison for eight drug-related felony convictions.
Judge William L. Wellons sentenced William Albert Ragland Jr. to 10 years in prison for each of six cocaine distribution convictions.
Judge Wellons also sentenced Ragland to five years in prison for distribution of an imitation Schedule II controlled substance, and to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
The court suspended all but two years and two months in prison for Ragland's most recent offense, conditioned on his good behavior for 50 years.
Ragland was additionally ordered by the court to pay restitution in the amount of $1,100 to the Drug Task Force.
· Maurice Lamont Harris, 21, of South Boston, was sentenced Tuesday to a total of 45 years in prison for four felonies.
Judge Wellons sentenced Harris to 20 years in prison for the robbery of "Tony" Dean Jones, and to 10 years in prison for each of two cocaine distribution convictions.
The court also sentenced Harris to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance.
Judge Wellons suspended all but five years in prison for the robbery conviction, one year in jail for each of the cocaine distribution convictions, and all of Harris' five-year sentence for the conspiracy charge for an effective seven-year prison term.
The court ordered the suspended portions of Harris' sentence to be conditioned on his good behavior for 40 years, and ordered him to be placed on probation for two years following his release.
Harris was ordered by the court to abstain from illegal drugs and to submit to random drug tests.
· James Arthur Stevens Jr., 20, of Nathalie, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for cocaine distribution and to five years in prison for marijuana distribution.
Judge Wellons suspended all but one year of Stevens' sentence for the cocaine conviction, conditioned on his good behavior for 15 years, and ordered Stevens to be placed on probation for one year following his release.
The court ordered Stevens to abstain from illegal drugs and to submit to random drug tests.
Christopher Quinton Boyd, 22, of Clover was convicted Tuesday of cocaine distribution, misdemeanor marijuana possession and an amended indictment of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Boyd also entered an Alford plea to charges of breaking and entering the residence of Alfonza Clark and to a charge of grand larceny of currency belonging to Alfonza Clark.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but realizes prosecution evidence would make a guilty finding at trial almost a certainty.
Boyd remains free on bond under supervision of Halifax-Pittsylvania Court Services until sentencing in the September term of court.
· Darrell Lenzie Villines, 29, of Alton, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for each of two felony bad check convictions.
Judge Wellons suspended all but six months in jail for each of the convictions, conditioned on Villines' good behavior for 10 years, and ordered Villines to be placed on probation for two years upon his release.
The court authorized work release for Villines.
· Amanda Louise Barksdale, aka Amanda L. Brown, 32, of South Boston, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for each of three forging and uttering convictions.
Judge Wellons suspended all but one year and six months in prison for one of the convictions, conditioned on Barksdale's good behavior for 15 years.
The court additionally ordered Barksdale to be placed on probation for two years, and ordered her to submit to random drug tests, and undergo counseling and treatment.
Barksdale was additionally sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term for a misdemeanor conviction of obtaining less than $200 in food stamps by fraud.
· Lloyd Jasper Fuller, 35, of Roanoke, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for a subsequent offense of driving after being declared an habitual offender.
Judge Wellons suspended all but one year and six months of Fuller's sentence, conditioned on his good behavior for five years, with work release authorized.
The court additionally ordered Fuller to be placed on supervised probation for one year following his release.
· Jennifer Sue Reid, 23, of South Boston, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
The court suspended Reid's entire sentence to time already served, conditioned on her good behavior for five years, and ordered her to be placed on probation for two years.
Reid was ordered by the court to abstain from illegal drugs.
· Barry William Wooden, 40, of Clover, was convicted Tuesday of a probation violation.
The court revoked Wooden's previously suspended prison sentence, re-suspending all but six months active time, with work release authorized.
The court also extended Wooden's probation for an additional year.
· Acey Nelson Tucker, 26, of South Boston, was sentenced to six months in jail, with all suspended but 10 days, for misdemeanor obstruction of justice.
Tucker was also sentenced to pay a $250 fine for each of three other misdemeanor convictions, one for eluding police, and two for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The court authorized weekend jail service for Tucker.
· Harold Junior Logan, 57, of Halifax, was convicted of a probation violation.
The court revoked and re-suspended all but 60 days of Logan's previously suspended prison sentence, and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year upon his release.
· Kelvin DeWayne Cameron, 29, of South Boston, was convicted Tuesday of a probation violation.
The court deferred imposition of Cameron's sentence until the opening day of the March 2003 term, ordering him to make payments of $50 per month beginning in October.
· Carl David Hughes, 39, of South Boston, was convicted Tuesday of a probation violation.
The court deferred imposition of Hughes' sentence and placed him on probation until the November term of court.
· Daniel Rudolph Waller, 44, of Nathalie, was granted first offender status Tuesday by the court for a charge alleging he possessed cocaine.
Judge Wellons ordered the case continued to August 25, 2003, to be set for the September 2003 term of court.
The court ordered Waller to be placed on probation for one year and to remain drug free, and ordered a restricted operator's license for Waller.

King Village Trail residents and supporters, about 300 strong, repeatedly asked supervisors "to do the right thing," to provide them a good road, during a public hearing Tuesday night.
The 35 residents are seeking condemnation of land for right of way to bring the road up to Virginia Department of Transportation standards for a state-maintained road.
No one spoke in opposition.
Supervisors ultimately asked the county administrator to seek legal opinion and report back by the next supervisors' meeting.
James Edmunds II, the supervisor whose district includes King Village, introduced the motion seeking legal opinion.
He also requested an up-to-date report from the Virginia Department of Transportation on the expense of the proposed road.
Supervisor Corky Rorrer asked for information on past offers to purchase the needed road right of way.
King Village Trail, a gravel road a little over one mile in length, runs from Love Shop Road east to about a dozen dwellings with 35 residents.
During the 90-minute public hearing Tuesday night, residents cited safety concerns for children walking to the bus stop and safety issues at the bus stop, which is located near the intersection of Love Shop and Cowford roads.
The ability of emergency vehicles to travel the road during bad weather, as well as entrance and exit availability for residents of King Village, were addressed by the 21 speakers.
Petitions with 1,400 names supporting a state-maintained road to the village were presented by the Rev. Roger Ford.
Rev. Ford, president of the NAACP, told supervisors Tuesday night that "people have been asking for the road for 30 something years."
"One thing is stopping them, 22 feet of land, 11 feet on each side for the right of way," said Ford.
"But you eight folks can change that with a positive vote," he told supervisors.
The minister said that residents of King Village are taxpaying citizens but do not have many of the privileges other residents have.
King Village resident Freddie Edmonds told supervisors that the residents "tried to negotiate for land" for the road from its owner, Lacy Epps. He said they also offered to trade him land.
Edmonds said King Village residents include children, senior citizens and disabled persons.
"A decision should be measured in human suffering, not just dollars and cents," Edmonds said.
The King Village resident also said police records show there have been six accidents near the site where the 11 school children wait for the bus.
"Don't wait for a fatality to happen," added Edmonds.
Carolyn Ballou, a 20-year resident of King Village, told supervisors there had been no cooperation with Mr. Lacy to keep the road up.
She said pipes were put in the road to help with drainage but that they were removed.
Ballou also cited her concern about the 11 school children who wait for the bus near the Love Shop/Cowford Road intersection, noting there are no signs indicating a bus stop.
"Please help us do something to protect our children's safety," she added.
Elizabeth Ann Roberts told supervisors that she was lucky since hers was the first house on the road.
She said that her family had worked with the King family for years trying to "make do" with the road, but she asked supervisors to take action.
"It is an issue of quality of life," Roberts said. "We need professional guidance. We hope you will feel we deserve more than to make do."
Edith Owens, 83, who has lived at King Village all of her life asked supervisors for help to get a road so residents could get in and out. She said she has been trying to get a good road over 30 years.
Darnell Martin, a King Village resident for 52 years, said he and his brother and friends try to maintain the road.
"We pay about $1,000 for gravel," he told supervisors. We have been doing this about 20 years. Help us out. That is all I can say."
Reginald Martin, also a village resident for 47 years, recalled one elderly lady en route to the hospital from King Village. He said the ambulance had to stop several times on the road.
"She did not make it (in time)," he said. "Try to do something about conditions like that."
Sherman Hawkes recalled the history of King Village Trail, telling supervisors that on October 1, 1990, the board at that time voted 4-3 to condemn, only to have the action reversed due to procedural issues.
Hawkes asked for "no more road viewers," rather he asked for action on the road.
Susan Jones, who works for the Department of Social Services, told supervisors that two Social Service people, who may be called "24/7" in their work, live on the road.
Jones described the road as bad and getting worse, making it hard for the workers to get out.
"Don't let the fear of setting a precedent make you do nothing," Jones said, noting the choice and power were theirs.
"Do the right thing and we will all be the better for it," Jones urged supervisors.
"People are asking to get in and out of their homes without problems," said Detra Carr of the NAACP. "They are asking supervisors to condemn land for a state-maintained road."
Carr said the fire department has to send a small van down the road to assess the road, and that in that 15 minutes a house could burn up.
"We could replace the house, but not people," Carr said.
"We should not let one person hold back progress for Halifax County," Carr said.
"What makes things change is the heart of man," said the Rev. Ronald Claiborne of the Bannister Missionary Baptist Association.
"I appeal to your compassion for young children, for those residents," he added, noting residents worry about emergency services.
"I recognize your dilemma," Rev. Claiborne told supervisors. "I appeal that you do the right thing."

County employees will not get a three percent pay increase and the county's convenience center at Oak White is "on hold" following supervisors' Tuesday night session.
"No action was taken on the five-year lease (for the convenience site land)," County Administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday of the White Oak project, which would include garbage/recycling bins.
Supervisors nixed the pay increase for county employees in a 6-2 vote, with only Supervisors Bill Fitzgerald and Tom West voting in favor of the increase.
"This is no time to be raising pay," Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott said of the finance committee recommendation.
Earlier in the year, the finance committee - with the exception of Abbott - had agreed to revisit the pay increase issue.
"I would be remiss to ask the board to adopt a budget without pay increases and then vote for one now," said Supervisor James Edmunds II, chairman of the finance committee.
The supervisor said that he would only vote to honor the increase carried in Joe Morgan's contract.
Edmunds said that his lack of support for the overall raise had nothing to do with the service of the staff, which he called exemplary.
"But," he add, "I don't think we should do this thing this year."
Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan noted the treasurer and commissioner's office also wanted to be included in a pay increase.
"How are we going to raise all this money?" asked Abbott, noting the state was calling on localities to pick up funding for services.
"All the state has to do is put back the original car tax and all will be okay," added Abbott.
Administrator Morgan noted the increase was 1 percent over three years.
"Every county is talking reducing salaries, employees and cutting services," noted David Martin, chairman of the board.
The board also denied restoration of Department of Social Services local funding to FY 2001-02 level.
A proposal for payment for accrued sick leave upon retirement was referred back to the Policy and Personnel Committee.
Supervisor Abbott noted the payment for accrued sick leave could reach $14,000 to $15,000 for employees at the top of the salary scale.
Employees are allowed 15 sick days per year, according to Morgan.
At present, there are three employees who would qualify for the compensation, and two of those would be at the top of the pay scale, according to the administrator.
Abbott noted that there is a state policy that allows a $5,000 maximum payout for state employees who have accrued sick leave.
Supervisor Corky Rorrer said that he thought there should be some cap on compensation, although he said that he liked to encourage people not to take sick leave unless it is really needed.
Supervisors then referred the matter back to committee.
White Oak Convenience Center
Reacting to White Oak resident Gene Riddle's objection to the location of a county convenience center (for disposal of trash and recycling) without public input, board chairman David Martin asked staff to develop options for public input prior to convenience center siting approval.
The recommendation for public input is to be prepared by the board's October meeting.
The White Oak site, proposed on a one-acre plot at the corner of Route 57 (Chatham Road) and Route 676, is the third center in the county.
Supervisor R.E. Abbott said that he thought it was "the proper thing to ask people nearby" about location of the convenience centers.
"We need a process so people have some input."
In his opening statement Riddle said that he was disappointed with the board of supervisors.
"This convenience center/garbage dump is being put in without our community knowing it," Riddle told supervisors.
Riddle, whose home is located on Chatham Road (Route 57) across from the proposed site, said that in the past when several separate proposals came up, an auto junkyard, a game/pool room and a funeral home, there was a hearing and residents opposed.
"This board saw fit to have a public hearing and after that, the permits were denied," Riddle said.
"It just doesn't make sense," Riddle continued, "that the people were contacted about businesses but the board's putting a garbage dump/convenience center without saying anything to anyone. It shouldn't be that way," added Riddle.
Riddle also said that Fitzgerald told him that at his first complaint, the center would be removed. But Riddle said he couldn't believe the county would put $15,000 to $30,000 in a center and remove it.
"It is the most used service provided by the county, but also the most abused," added Riddle, naming the deposit of cat and dogs, both alive and dead, as well as garbage and its decay.
He said that he thought the location would affect the value of his real estate.
"We need a large number of convenience centers, but we need to search, to put them out of sight and out of mind," Riddle said.
"I beg of you, in the future please notify the people. Give them a chance to say yes or no. All I can say is if you voted for it, shame on you."
Supervisor Bill Fitzgerald, in whose district the White Oak convenience center is proposed, apologized to Riddle for not contacting him earlier.
Riddle agreed Fitzgerald had contacted him later.
Gail Powell also objected to the site. She said that Fitzgerald "told us what he was going to do."
"Isn't it going to affect our water, our land?" she asked.
Fitzgerald said that he thought he was following established policy by finding a suitable site and seeking a lease agreement.
The supervisor pointed out that this is the third convenience center located in the county.
Supervisor Edmunds proposed that for those centers that have not been sited, there would be a public hearing.
Fitzgerald and Supervisor Tom West questioned opening public hearings on the matter.
"You are not going to easily get approval to locate one," Fitzgerald observed.
"We learn from mistakes," said Supervisor Lottie Nunn. She said it would be "more user friendly" for the public if they had a part in deciding the location.

Ada Rogers Dance

Ada Rogers Dance, 93, of South Boston, died September 3 at Beth Israel Hospital in Hillside, NJ.
Mrs. Dance was born in Halifax County on December 26, 1908, the daughter of the late James Rogers and Millie Harris Rogers and was married to the late Deacon Rufus Dance. She was a member of Dan River Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include her children, Eva Lawson of South Boston, Sadie Drumwright of Paterson, NJ, Jean Crawley of Chesapeake, Sylvia Whitt of Hillside, NJ, Garfield Dance of Paterson, Roosevelt Dance and Rufus Dance of Burlington, NJ; 23 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services for Mrs. Dance will be held September 7 at 1 p.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. James Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00 until 8:00, at Dunn & Sons Funeral Home, Halifax, and other times at 2230 Sandy Beach Road, South Boston.

Kyle Watson Bowie

Kyle Watson Bowie died September 3. He was born November 1, 1924, in Roanoke to Kyle W. Bowie Sr. and Catherine Cheatham Bowie, and was first married to Katherine Elizabeth Niblo, and later to Marie Foster. He graduated from West Point.
Mr. Bowie was assigned to Japan. While there he was awarded the CIB and Purple Heart. In 1965 as Battalion Commander, he was assigned to Vietnam. In the first six months he was engaged in a number of heavy battles and was awarded two Silver Stars, plus a number of other decorations and the Battalion received a Distinguished Unit Citation. After returning to the states, he was promoted to Colonel before returning to Vietnam.
Mr. Bowie retired in 1975, and moved to Halifax County. He was on the Board of Trustees for the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.
Survivors include his wife; his daughter, Kay and husband, Tom Scovill; one grandson, Daniel and wife, Isavane; one granddaughter, Hope Scovill; one stepson, Lou and wife, Laurie Foster; one stepdaughter, Amy and husband, Ted Humphrey; and six grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by one son, Samuel Walter Watson Bowie.
Graveside services for Mr. Bowie will be held today, September 6, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church Cemetery with Military Rites.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Brookneal Volunteer Rescue Squad or St. John's Episcopal Church.

Lillian 'T' Carr Coleman

Lillian 'T' Carr Coleman, 51, of Hyattsville, MD, formerly of Halifax County, died September 2 in MD.
Mrs. Coleman was born in Halifax County on May 1, 1951, the daughter of Herman Carr Sr. and Hattie Dance Carr. She was a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Yolanda Sumter of Charleston, SC; two sons, Charles Julious Graves of Freehold, NJ and Christopher Graves of Hyattsville; three sisters, Elnora Hogan of Fayetteville, NC, Dorothy Coleman of Dover, DE and Vivian Graves of Halifax; four brothers, Earle Carr of Stoneville, NC, Herman Carr Jr. of Lexington, NC, Frank Carr and the Rev. Dr. William Carr, both of Halifax; six grandchildren; a devoted friend, Tommy Brammitt of Landover, MD; and three lifelong friends, Juanita Bostick Carr, Jeanette Bostick and Gloria Plenty Goldring.
Funeral services for Mrs. Coleman will be held September 7 at 2 p.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. William Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home from 7 until 8, and other times at the home of Rev. and Mrs. William Carr, 2048 Howard P. Anderson Hwy., Halifax.

James Edmond Sawyer

James Edmond Sawyer, 89, of Scottsburg, died September 2 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington, DC.
Mr. Sawyer was born in Halifax County on March 5, 1913, the son of the late Sandy L. Sawyer and Colie Crews Sawyer and was married to Mildred Hardy Sawyer. He was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, was a WWII Army Veteran and was a member of American Legion Post #99, and the Mt. Sinai Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include one son, James A. Sawyer of Roanoke; one daughter, Judy Virginia Worrell of St. Pleasant, MD; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Sarah P. Sawyer; and one son-in-law, Paul Worrell. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Thelma Sawyer, and one granddaughter, Rayzelle Worrell.
Funeral services for Mr. Sawyer will be held Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Keister Boyd Blanks, Jr.

Mr. Keister Boyd Blanks, Jr., 65, of Clarkville, died Wednesday, September 4, 2002, at Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston.
Mr. Blanks was born on July 8, 1937, and was husband of Eleanor Crowder Blanks.
Mr. Blanks grew up in Clarksville, was a member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church and attended Fork Union Military Academy.
He worked all of his adult life in automobile sales management and was a previous owner of several automobile dealerships.
Funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at Gravel Hill Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Blanks is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Karen & Wayne Ware of Chester; son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Mandy Blanks, also of Chester; a brother, T. Michael Blanks of Richmond; one sister, Gloria B. Williams of Clarksville; and two grandchildren, Chris and Justin.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in Clarksville.