Mary Carter Blanton

Mary Lunette Carter Blanton, 84 of Valdosta, passed away Friday evening October 11, 2019 at the home of her son and daughter in law after a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by her loved ones during her final days. Mrs. Blanton was born on September 14, 1935 to the late Carroll and Gladys Wisenbaker Carter of Echols County. Mrs. Blanton grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. She knew the value of honesty and hard work. She spent many summers cropping tobacco with her siblings. She married Claude R. Blanton Sr. of Clyattville on September 21, 1952. Mrs. Blanton continued her education after her marriage and graduated from Lake Park High School on June 4, 1953.

Mrs. Blanton and her husband owned numerous grocery stores in the Valdosta area beginning in 1957 and continuing until the early 1970’s. While working side by side in the grocery business with her husband, Mrs. Blanton also raised six children. Mrs. Blanton was the type of woman who was always willing to help others, often giving away groceries to the needy. No one really knows the extent of her generosity. After retiring from the grocery business, she helped her husband farm and also worked for her son in his business. Mrs. Blanton loved to quilt and enjoyed researching information about her family history.

In 2008, Mrs. Blanton was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments and overcame her cancer diagnosis to continue living a full and active life.

Mrs. Blanton was a member of Trinity Baptist Church where she played the piano for many years. Even when she was wearing oxygen and a brace on her leg, she showed up for church services to play the piano for the congregation. She loved Jesus and it showed in every interaction she had with others. She never complained and always saw the good in everyone. She was a fine example of a Christian woman and the best mother, grandmother, wife, and sister anyone could ask for.

Mrs. Blanton is survived by her sons and their spouses; Robert and Laura Blanton of Valdosta, Marshal and Carolyn Blanton of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Kevin Carter Blanton of Knoxville, Tennessee. Daughters and their spouses Wanda and Robert Jolly and Kathy and John Skinner, all of Valdosta, and Joey and Rena Hendley of Lake Park; her grandchildren, Jason Jolly of Valdosta, Jennifer Luke (Andy) of Ray City, Justin Jolly (April) of Valdosta, Derek Skinner (Michelle) of Barney, Kristen Skinner (Timmy) of Hahira, Melissa Jackson (Clint) of Valdosta, Bobby Blanton (Kayla) of Valdosta, and Mary Beth Hendley of Lake Park, Ga. Her great grandchildren are Jacob Johnson Jolly, Nolan Jackson, and Colin Skinner. She is also survived by her faithful sister in law Marie Carter of Lake Park and her brother in law and sisters in law Arthur and Frances Blanton and Lois Ellis of Valdosta, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mrs. Blanton was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Claude R. Blanton Sr., her great grandson Jacob Skinner, and her siblings Robbie Carter, Claude Carter, Russell Carter and Pearl Morgan.

Funeral services for Mrs. Blanton will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 16, 2019 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Reverend Scott Singletary and Reverend Bob Ellis officiating. The family will receive friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Tuesday evening October 15 from 6-8 p.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Langdale Hospice House 2263 Pineview Drive Valdosta, GA, 31602, or Trinity Baptist Church, 2992 US Highway 41 South, Valdosta, GA, 31601. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.