Joseph Howard Blanks, Jr., 76, of Bedford Springs Rd., Lynchburg, died Friday, July 29, 2011, at his residence. He was the beloved husband of Shirley Morris Blanks for 56 years.

Born in Lynchburg, on August 1, 1934, he was a son of the late Arsie Layne Blanks and Joseph Howard Blanks, Sr. Howard was a member of Timberlake United Methodist Church, where he sang in the sanctuary choir for 30 years and served on numerous committees and boards. He retired as the Branch Manager for the Lynchburg office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. He was a member of the Lynchburg Elks Lodge # 321. Howard was an avid outdoorsman loving to hunt, fish, and travel.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children and their spouses, Mike and Cindy Blanks, Robin and Darryl Padgett, Tim and Susan Blanks, and Cheryl and Steve Neal; 11 grandchildren, J.J. Maner, Courtney (Steve) Drummond, Lindsey Blanks, Lauren Padgett, Joseph Padgett, Meghan Blanks, Kelsey Blanks, Matt Blanks, Tommy Neal, Garrett Neal, and Erik Neal; seven great-grandchildren; Dustin, Devin, Dylan, and Damon Maner and Mason, Riley, and Holden Drummond; mother-in-law, Lorene Martin Morris; brother-in-law, R. Glenn and Mary Edith Morris; and nieces, Susan (Craig) Smith and Amy Martin and her daughter, Jordan.

The family would like to express their appreciation to caregivers, Renea Randolph and Sanchez Hubbard; home health nurse, Linda St. John; and the staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Hills.

A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 2, 2011, in Timberlake United Methodist Church by the Reverends C. Douglas Pillow, Ronnie Morris, Randolph Martin, Rob Colwell, and Willie Butler. There will be a reception following in the church family life center. The family will receive friends at other times at the residence.

Those wishing to make memorials please consider Timberlake United Methodist Church Building Fund, 21649 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502 or Hospice of the Hills, 2097 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501.