Elsie Mae Blankenship Lippard

The beautiful rose in our garden has shed her lovely petals and now is adorned with eternal righteousness by the Rose of Sharon, her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On Friday, February 28, 2014, around 1:00 p.m., Elsie Mae Blankenship Lippard joined Heaven's choir, singing praises of "Amazing Grace" to the One who gave her eternal life. Earlier that day, she and some of the nurses at Autumn Care of Statesville shared in singing, "Jesus Loves Me." These were some of the many songs that Elsie and her husband, Kenneth, delighted in singing together upon his daily, faithful visits to be with his sweetheart.

Elsie was born to Killian Dock (K.D.) and Elsie Halyburton Blankenship on May 29, 1922, in Iredell County. Even though her mother passed away when Elsie was three days old, she and her sister, Dorothy, became wonderful mothers to their sons and loving wives to their husbands. Their brother, Roy, was equally a fine father to his son and daughter and a loving husband to his wife. Elsie attended school in Statesville and graduated from Statesville Senior High School. Roller skating and going to the movie theater was a favorite pastime of hers as a young girl. Elsie loved to watch old movie classics as well. In her earlier years, she had been employed by the Playhouse Theater and Fraley's Grocery. She also worked in textiles as a seamstress, having been employed by Beauty Maid Mills, Bryan Mills, and T.L. Edwards.

On June 13, 1942, Elsie married the love of her life, Kenneth Hilton Lippard, Sr. in York, SC. Despite separation after their marriage because of World War II, and other confronted adversities, their love for each other never waned. This year will mark their

72nd wedding anniversary...a milestone to cherish! As a young girl, she became a Christian while attending Western Avenue Baptist Church. After she was married, she and Kenneth joined Front Street Baptist in February of 1951. For many years, she cared for the little ones in the church nursery and was a member of the Hannah Sunday school class.

Kenneth and Elsie attended many school and sporting events of their children and grandchildren. They especially loved caring for their grandchildren on many occasions. Elsie was known for her excellent cooking, especially her lemon meringue pies and apple pies. Her southern-fried chicken was "finger-lickin' good!" Elsie had a deep love for her husband and referred to him as "The Rock." Her love for her three sons was just as genuine, and she lived her life for her family.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Roy L. Blankenship and her granddaughter, Dolynda Lippard.

Mrs. Lippard is survived by her husband Kenneth; three sons, Kenneth Hilton Lippard, Jr. and wife, Nancy (Call), of Statesville, Barry Lynn Lippard and wife, Kim (York), of Troutman, and Stanley Charles Lippard and wife, Kim (Wilson), of Statesville; ten grandchildren, Anita L. Taylor and husband, Todd, Kenny Lippard, Adam Lippard and wife, Brandi, Cory Lippard and fiance, Christy Reynolds, Beth Anne L. Campbell and husband, John, Luke Lippard, Aron Lippard and fiance, Sarah Thorne, Rhett Lippard, Mary Charles Lippard, and Landon Lippard; seven great-grandchildren, A.J. Taylor, Nick Taylor, Addison Lippard, Kenslee Lippard, Brock Lippard, Elin Campbell, and Brantley Lippard. She is further survived by her sister, Dorothy (Dot) B. Sisk, of Hickory, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Mrs. Lippard will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, at Front Street Baptist Church. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Tim Stutts officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Kenny, Adam, Cory, Luke, Aron, Rhett, and Landon Lippard.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made to Front Street Baptist Church, 1403 W. Front Street, Statesville, NC 28677.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Foushee and Teresa Campbell for their care and support of Elsie and her family over these past four years. Thanks also to the staff of Iredell Memorial Hospital. To the Autumn Care staff, thanks so very much for making Elsie feel at home, and she really did love you all, and she knew you loved her. To a special family friend, Brandy, you always made Elsie's day much brighter!

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Lippard.

"Every day is a journey, the journey itself is Home."