Obituary of Blaine James Dancy
Blaine Dancy, age 95, went to be with his Lord and Savior June 3, 2017, at Francis Marion Manor in Marion, Va.
He was a faithful member of Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, where he served as Deacon for many years. Becoming ill of health, he had transferred his membership to Hopkins View in Marion where he also was a Deacon.
Blaine was preceded in death by his parents, Elder C.R. and Verna Farrington Dancy; his two brothers, Carl and Quentin; one sister, Violet Blevins; and his beloved wife of 76 years, Olievene.
Blaine is survived by four sons, David and wife Brenda, Jim, Sam and wife Brenda, Joe and wife Tammy; two daughters, Judy Blevins and husband Joe, Barbara Neitch and husband, David. Blaine and Olievene had fourteen grandchildren, Debbie Reynolds, Tommy Dancy, Phillip, Mark and Darren Blevins, Marty and Scott Neitch, Kenny Dancy, Melissa Dancy-Henderson, Tressy Hoofnagle, Jessi Evans, Sheri Nester, Tonya Dancy and Joseph Dancy; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; two sisters, JoAnn Branch and June Evans and husband, Louis.
Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, Blaine’s family moved to West Va. and then to Smyth County when he was 7 years old. They lived on a depression era subsistence farm in Scratch Gravel. In 1939, Blaine followed his brothers to the CCC and while working there, married Olievene Price and started his family. During WWII he moved to Baltimore, Md., worked in the shipyards and saved money for his own farm adjacent to his parents’ farm, which he and his brother Carl purchased. After several years of farming and working as a mechanic, he decided to further his education by taking a correspondence course at home to earn his diploma and drafting courses at Marion College. He then went to work for Brunswick Corp.,where he was a tool designer for 23 years until he retired at age 60. He co-founded the Marion Alignment Service with his brother-in- law, Ben Blevins. He served on the Smyth County School Board from 1975-1983 and again from 1993-1999. He was Chairman for 11 of 15 years.
Blaine lived an extraordinary life, pursuing many hobbies and activities with his wife and companion, Olievene, always by his side. He was an avid gardener, beekeeper, orchard keeper and international traveler. He greatly enjoyed outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, especially trout fishing with his sons. He assembled a television from a kit in the early 1950’s, before they were common in this area. He took a computer course at Emory & Henry while in his eighties. He repaired anything mechanical for his children and grandchildren and loved staying busy and involved. He loved reading, especially Zane Grey westerns, and read the Bible through several times. He valued education and contributed to his grandchildren who pursued a college education. There were always apples, grapes, jams, etc. for family and friends as well as a hug or a hand-out if needed. This generosity extended to his church family also.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 12 noon until 2 pm. at the Seaver-Brown Funeral Home in Marion. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm, following visitation at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Elders Larry Blevins and Rodney Marshall officiating. Graveside services will follow at Thomas Cemetery in Marion.
Special thanks to Mr. Dancy’s caregivers, Diana Sawyers, Mary Thomas, and Debbie Pennington, as well as the staff of Francis Marion Manor for their excellent care.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dancy family at www. seaverbrown.com.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to serve the Dancy family. 276 783 7107.
