Bishop Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Amy Janann (Arterburn) Blankenship, 51, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023, in Kiowa, OK. Born on June 30, 1972, in McAlester, OK, Amy was a beacon of love, kindness, and humor, whose light touched everyone she met. Viewing will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and 8:00 a.m. to Noon on Saturday. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Bishop Chapel of Memories officiated by Rev. Kyle Cummings and Rev. Casey McCoy. Burial will follow at Savanna Cemetery, Savanna. Pallbearers will be, Shawn Blankenship, Trenton Kouplen, Eli Prince, Luke Wood, Jeremy Reeder and Tim Reeder. Honorary pallbearers will be Cyndie Sanford, Ammy Perry, Jolene Pool, Nikki Worrell, Tiffany Mullen, Becky Brown, P.K. Jones and Kathy Schire. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Redick Blankenship College Fund, P. O. Box 49, Savanna, OK 74565. Amy was born to Jimmie Dale and Leavona Joyce (Price) Arterburn and was a proud graduate of Savanna High School, class of 1990. She furthered her education at East Central University in Ada, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in nursing. Amy dedicated over 27 years of her life to the McAlester Regional Health Center, where she served as the director of surgery and the Cath lab. Her passion for healthcare led her to St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee, where she continued her career as the director of surgery. On June 28, 2008, Amy married the love of her life, Vaughn Blankenship, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The marriage began with an expensive wedding ring of $26.00! Together, they built a beautiful life, filled with love and laughter. Amy was a devoted mother and grandmother, who cherished every moment spent with her family. She was an avid supporter of her son Redick's basketball games and took great joy in her role as a coach's wife. Amy was also known for her unique interest in killing zombies., which added a touch of fun and excitement to her personality. She had a knack for using movie quotes for every occasion like "dicfur". Amy was a woman of faith and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Savanna. Her faith was a guiding force in her life and she lived it out through her kindness and generosity towards others. Amy was preceded in death by her father, Jimmie Dale Arterburn; brothers-in-law, Gary Reeder and David McBane; nephews, Tanner Wilson, Tristan Zachary; and a great niece, Emmie Nolen. She leaves behind a legacy of love and will be deeply missed by her mother, Leavona "Nan" Arterburn; husband, Vaughn Blankenship; sons: Espn Redick Blankenship, Tyius Blankenship and wife, L.B.; daughters: Lacie Kouplen and husband, Trenton, Britley Blankenship and fiance, Eli Prince; granddaughter, Holly Jay Kouplen; grandsons: Grayson Vaughn Kouplen, and Chance Joel Blankenship; sisters: Penny Reeder, Connie Wood and husband Gary "Bear", Julie McBane, and Donna Wilson and husband, Darrell; mother-in-law, Tammy Fields; father-in-law, Clint Blankenship and wife, Tammy; brothers-in-law: Shawn Blankenship, and Trey Blankenship and wife, Bri; sister-in-law, Lynn Swing and husband, John; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and friends. Amy's life was a testament to her loving nature, her kindness, being a servant in all roles of life, and her wonderful sense of humor. She brought joy and laughter to every room she entered and her memory will continue to bring smiles to the faces of those who knew and loved her. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, and her legacy will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known her.