Obituary of Thelma Blanton

Thelma Kate Smith Blanton, 95, widow of James Franklin “Jim” Blanton, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 27, 2023. Mrs. Blanton was born in Woodruff to the late Marvin Eugene Smith and Mary Madora Wofford Smith. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Thelma retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard. She enjoyed reading and gardening, and was a collector of seashells. Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Kathy and John Gillespie, and Judy and Charles White; two sisters, Amy Sloan and Janice Roberson; three grandchildren, Deborah Gillespie, Sarah White, and Mary White with fiancé Connor Robbins; a great-granddaughter, Sky Raciborski with husband Brian; and three great-great-grandchildren, Xavier Crawford, William Raciborski, and Bennett Raciborski. She was predeceased by four brothers, Harold Smith, Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, and Frank Smith; and three sisters, Hazel Rogers, Ruth Edwards, and Mary Ann Waddell. Visitation will be 5 - 6:30 pm Friday at Fletcher Funeral Service – Woodruff. A Celebration of Thelma’s Life will be 12 noon Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Danny Monroe. Burial will follow in Greenhaven Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, P.O. Box 100, Cross Anchor, SC 29331.