Hazel Gibson Blankenship, age 92, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City. She was a native of Rutherford County and the daughter of the late Fred Gibson and the late Gladys Lewis Gibson. She was an active member of Southern Baptist Church and loved to work in her flower garden. She was a homemaker, worked in textiles and was a loving wife , mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband Claude Hicks Blankenship. Hazel is survived by: One Daughter: Pamela B. Ruppe and her husband Jim of Rutherfordton One Sister: Joyce Chandler and her husband Roy of Rutherfordton Two Grandchildren: Angela Ruppe of Cairo, Egypt and Andy Ruppe of Rutherfordton The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Southern Baptist Church. The funeral service will be at Southern Baptist Church at 3:00 PM, Sunday, March 3, 2019 with Reverend John Perry and Reverend Jesse Yarbrough officiating. The committal service will take place in the sanctuary immediately following the funeral service. Interment will be at Southern Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Southern Baptist Church Christian Life Center at 140 Church St. Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Online guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of the arrangements.