Bennie Hart Blanks Sr. was born to the late Mr. Elijah and Mrs. Lelar Hill Blanks on September 5, 1929 in Choctaw County, Alabama.

  Bennie Blanks Sr. served his country in the United States Army as a Specialist Third Class (December 23, 1955 - September 25, 1957), receiving an honorable discharge. He lived in Mobile, Alabama shortly after, for some time, until he moved to New York City to begin his career as a glazier for local 1087. He was a man of many trades and would always let everyone know that he put glass in most of the buildings downtown in New York City. He was always proud of his work.

  Sunday, August 5, 1979 he was united in holy matrimony in Harlem, New York to the former Gloria Jean Thorne who is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. From this union, five children were born; Aron T. Blanks, Bennie L. Blanks Jr., Alisha J. Blanks, Moses D. Blanks, and Christiana N.M.L. Blanks. This marriage lasted 40 years until Bennie Sr. went to his new home of glory on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

  Bennie Hart Blanks Sr. confessed Christ early in his life, continuing his christian experience, uniting with Trinity Baptist Church in Bronx, N.Y. under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Tyler LLoyd. Bennie Sr. was a God fearing family man. He loved his wife and all of his children and he also loved to cook. Baking many assorted cakes and sweet potato pies from scratch was his specialty. He loved his collard greens, beef brisket, baked sweet potatoes, roasted peanuts and lemonade. He also made the best smothered chicken over grits. There was absolutely nothing he cooked that was not delicious.

  Bennie Sr. was always admired and loved by many. He was a strong man who truly embodied his role as the "patriarch" of the family. Bennie Sr. was loved by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and will be lovingly remembered and forever in our hearts.

 Bennie Sr. was preceded in death by his parents Mr. Elijah and Mrs. Lelar Hill Blanks, his son from a previous marriage, Tyrone Hart Blanks, five brothers Eulegee, Woodie, Herman, Albert and Moses Blanks Sr.; three sisters, Bertha L. Blanks, Mary Lou Clark, and Lelar C. Triggs.

 Bennie Sr. leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife Gloria Jean Blanks (Bronx, NY); his six children, Orando Blanks (Hudson, NY) from Bennie Sr's. previous marriage and then Aron T. Blanks (Hyattsville, MD), Bennie L. Blanks (Bronx, NY), Alisha J. Blanks (Mahopac, NY), Moses D.(Jessica)Blanks (Bronx, NY), and Christiana N.M.L. Blanks (Delhi, NY); his mother-in-law Ms. Onnie Mae Thorne (Rocky Mount, NC);his father-in-law Mr. John Henry Griffin (Rochester, NY) his sister-in-laws Stella Rogers and JoAnn Richardson (Rocky Mount, NC); his brother-in-law Joe Jr. Thorne (Rocky Mount, NC) his three grandchildren Daniel, Mariah, and Moses Jr. Blanks (Bronx, NY); his brother Franklin D. (Mable)Blanks (Rincon, GA); his nephews Albert Jr. (Brenda)Blanks (Hudson, NY); and Franklin Jr.(Stephanie) Blanks (Rincon, GA); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.