EAST PRAIRIE — Randel J. Blankenship of East Prairie passed away Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Missouri Delta Community Hospital. He was born March 17, 1930, in Monette, Arkansas, to Claude E. and Mabel Randel Blankenship. He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and earned a master’s degree in education from Memphis State University. Randel served as a high school teacher and principal at Oran. Randel was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Norma Sharp; brothers-in-law, Elam Sharp and Dorsey Childress; and his best friend, Dennis Wheeler.