Ila Pearl Blanton: Loris

1936 – 2017

     Ila Pearl Blanton of Loris, age 81, passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. She was 81.

     Born July 4, 1936 in the Live Oak Community of Loris, she was the daughter of the late Marion Jasen Richardson, the late Ethel Martha Stanley Richardson and the late Dulah Richardson.

     Mrs. Pearl loved the Lord, Cherry Hill Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member, and her family with all of her heart. She cooked at home, retired from Loris Elementary School, where she was the cafeteria manager, and the Dairy Maid where she was famous for her awesome chicken salad. We will miss laughing and swapping stories while working together. We are looking forward to seeing her again in Heaven and telling her about the rest of our lives.

     She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Jack Blanton; her three sons, Missionary Jeffrey Blanton and wife, Judy of Mitchell’s Plain, South Africa, Richard Blanton and wife, Glenda of Hendersonville, and Rev. John Blanton and wife, Donna of Conway; her eight grandchildren, Jennifer Curry and husband, Lynn, Dr. Sharon Knewtson and husband, Dr. Jeremy Knewtson, Stephanie Blanton, Michael Blanton, Bridgette Blanton, Wesley Blanton, Ovidia Torro and Terry Torro; nine great-grandchildren; and six of her siblings, Lucille Graham and husband, Eugene, Cathy McDowell and husband, Glen all of Loris, SC, Betty Faye Davis and husband, John of Green Sea, Margaret Williams and husband, Ronnie of Florence, Martha Florence Williams of Myrtle Beach, and Billy Todd of Parsons, Kansas.

     In addition to her parents, Mrs. Blanton was predeceased by three sisters, Eva Lee Best, Mary Louise Best Faircloth, and Marion Grey Strickland.

     Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Cherry Hill Baptist Church with committal services following at Cane Branch Cemetery with Pastor Brandon Jones and Rev. Ragsdale Allsbrook officiating.

     Family planned to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Hardwick Funeral Home, Loris.

     Family requests that memorial donations, in Mrs. Blanton’s name, may be made to Cane Branch Cemetery Fund, 760 Cane Branch Road, Loris, SC 29569.

     A guest register is available here.