SHELBY: Cleophus "Cleo" Blanton, age 76, died Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at his home. He was the son of the late William and Vennie Blanton. He was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church, Friendship Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, and an avid hunter and fisherman. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his brothers, Jimmie Blanton and Horace Blanton; and sisters, Catherine Blanton, Martha Sheldon and Heidi Smith. He is survived by his loving wife, Marceline Piercy Blanton; son, Phillip Blanton and wife Beth of Mooresboro; daughter, Barbara Boyce of Shelby; sisters, Julie Dover and husband William of Shelby and Sharon Walker and husband Larry of Ellenboro; brothers, William Blanton of Clover, SC and Lawrence Blanton and wife Rhonda of Cliffside; grandchildren, Brandon Boyce, Brittany Cook, Bradley Boyce, Tori Henderson and Austin Blanton; and great-grandchildren, Lily, Cassidy, Riley, Gavin, Giovanni, Kinsley, Iris, Rylen, Linden, and Jaxen. Funeral services will be held Friday, October, 14 2022 at 2pm at Flint Hill Baptist Church, with Rev. Keith Dixon officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 12:30pm, prior to the service, in the church. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (600 College St, Oxford. NC 27565) or to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

FUNERAL HOME: Arrangements are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center.