Claude Robert Blanton, Sr.

Claude Robert Blanton Sr., 79, of Valdosta, passed away on Sunday April 14, 2013 surrounded by his loving wife and children at Langdale Hospice House after a long illness.
Mr. Blanton was born November 18, 1933 to the late Henry Alfred and Rena Smith Blanton. He grew up in Clyattville and was raised in the Primitive Baptist Church. In his later years he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior.
Mr. Blanton worked hard all of his life. He began working on the farm as a child, plowing behind a mule during the depression, and he worked at Roddey's Hardware as a young adult. In 1957 Mr. Blanton began a successful grocery business located on West Hill Avenue. He taught both his children and his employees the values of hard work and honesty. He retired from the grocery business in 1974. He spent his later years growing vegetables, especially greens, to sell to local grocery stores. Mr. Blanton never met a stranger, and he helped many people over the years. Those who knew him loved him dearly.
His hobbies included spending time with his grandchildren and working on his farm. He has always had a love for auto racing and owned a racecar during the late 1960's and early 1970's.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Carter Blanton; his children and their spouses, Wanda and Robert Jolly of Valdosta, Robert and Laura Blanton of Valdosta, Marshal and Carolyn Blanton of Hendersonville, NC, Kathy and John Skinner of Valdosta, Rena and Joey Hendley of Lake Park, and Kevin Blanton of Knoxville TN; his grandchildren, Jason Jolly (Connie), Justin Jolly (Jenny), Jennifer Jolly, Melissa Jackson (Clint), Bobby Blanton, Kristen Skinner (Timmy), Derek Skinner (Michelle), Mary Beth Hendley, Joey Hendley Jr., all of Valdosta, and Jamie Hensley of North Carolina; three great grandsons, Jacob Jolly, Jacob Skinner, and Nolan Jackson; one great granddaughter, Gail Johnson; one brother and sister in law, Arthur and Frances Blanton; two sisters, Lois Ellis and Anna White, all of Valdosta; and a brother in law and sister in law, Russell and Marie Carter of Lake Park. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lou Allen Blanton, Albert Blanton, Melvin Blanton and Havard Blanton, and his sisters, Kathleen Thompson and Zelphia Rentz.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Blanton will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home, with Rev. Alton Hardee and Rev. Ronnie Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted, or please consider a memorial contribution in Mr. Blanton's memory to Langdale Hospice House, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences may be expressed to the Blanton family at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602