Bernice Blanton

Published 10:00 am Thursday, May 5, 2011

FRANKLIN FURNACE — Bernice Blanton, almost 74, having lived the majority of her life in Franklin Furnace, went peacefully to her Lord on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky.

Born in Garden City, Wheelersburg, she was named “Vernice” by parents Elder Taylor Hall and Avala (Stumbo) Hall. She was married 29 years to Albert F. Blanton, and they successfully raised a large loving family. Always known as a hard worker, she worked many different jobs over the years – Williams Shoe Factory, Green High School head cook, Franklin Furnace pizza shop, U.S. Shoe Factory, and Mitchellace were a few.

She also volunteered many years to the Green Township Baseball Little League. She was becoming a member of Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church in Franklin Furnace, the little church her daddy founded. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by Albert; six brothers, Johnny, Revis, George, Estel, Robert and Taylor Jr. and three sisters, Violet, Virginia and Barbara Newsome. She is survived by four sons and their spouses, Carl and Peggy Blanton, Roy and Cathy Slone, Robert and Melissa Blanton, and Rick and Michelle Blanton; one daughter and her spouse, Sherry and John Akin; 19 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren (plus two on the way); two brothers and their spouses, Henry and Betty Hall, Paul and JoAnn Hall; two sisters, Evelyn and Kenneth French and Velva Carver, and sister-in-law, Faye Hall. Pallbearers are grandsons, Ronald Blanton, Josh Akin, Matt Blanton, Jared Akin, Phillip Sims, Kyle Blanton and Keith Blanton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sand Hill Christian Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Baldridge and Rev. Ronnie Blevins officiating. Burial will be at Junior Furnace Cemetery. Friends may call at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.