Mr. John Berry "J.B." Blanton, 77, of 2541 N. Circle Drive in Polkville, died Thursday, November 26, 2009 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.
Born September 13, 1932 in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Tommie Blanton and Lula Glenn Blanton.
Mr. Blanton retired from Doran Mill as the department head in spinning and winding and from First National Bank as courier. He was a member of Polkville Baptist Church where he was a former deacon. Charter member of Polkville Volunteer Fire Department, he served as training officer, assistant chief, chief, and retired as chief emeritus and was currently serving on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Camp Call Masonic Lodge #534.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Crawford Blanton; two sons, Johnny Blanton and Derrell Blanton & wife Beth Ann; two daughters, Kim Blanton Swink & husband Johnny Swink Jr. and Denene Blanton Wright all of Polkville, step son, Robert Crawford of Gastonia, step daughter, Rebecca Hare and husband Chris of Charlotte, seven grandchildren, Haley Cook and husband Ereck, Holly Swink and fiance Jared Cape, Kristin Wright and fiance Brantley Malone, Joni Blanton, Hillary Blanton, Amanda Blanton & Marcus Blanton, one great grandson, Landon Cook, four step grandchildren, Alexander Hare, Christian Hare, Sara Crawford, Lauren & Brandon Davis, one step great grandchild, Madison Davis, brother & sister-in-law, Jack & Sandy Blanton of Polkville, three sisters & brothers-in-law, Ruth & George Creach of Polkville, Doris Bettis of Earl, and Sue & Dub Martin of Fallston.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Blanton was preceded in death by his first wife, Sarah Gantt Blanton, one daughter, Holly Jane Blanton, one brother, Gene Blanton, and one sister, Helen Bradley.