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Mrs. Helen Borders Blanton

Helen Borders Blanton

Dateline:  Shelby, NC

Mrs. Helen Borders Blanton, 90, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2011, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.  Born September 27, 1920, in Patterson Springs, NC, she was the oldest child of George Marks and Della Hord Borders.

Helen graduated from Gardner-Webb College in 1938 and received a special award for attaining the highest grade average over a two-year period in her bible class.  She earned her BA degree as well as her Master’s degree in education at Appalachian State Teacher’s College, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

She began her career teaching public school music and private lessons.  Helen taught school in Cleveland County for 41 years and when she retired in 1983, was chair of the math department at Crest Jr. High School.  She took great personal interest in the children she taught and made a significant and enduring contribution to the lives of thousands of students.  She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.           

Helen was dedicated to her faith in God all her life and actively served in her churches until age 87.  She was choir director at Patterson Springs Baptist Church for over 30 years without pay.  She later joined Eastside Baptist Church where she was pianist, organist, choir member, and Sunday school teacher for about 25 years.  She also served on various church committees and as a representative to the Baptist Association.

Mrs. Blanton was a genuine lady who was petite, vibrant, beautiful, and the essence of strength, generosity, and grace.  Highly respected, she was known for her kindness, patience, integrity, and tremendous faith.  She was a loving mother and grandmother who took great pride in her family.  Her favorite activities included reading, singing, playing piano, playing organ, and traveling.  She remained vigorous and active until the final two weeks of her life. 

 In addition to both parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, George Baxter Blanton, by brothers Horace, Kenneth, Hugh, and Gene Borders, and a sister, Anne Miller.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved children Rachel Canipe and husband Oakie of Shelby, David Blanton and wife Dianne of Concord, as well as four grandchildren, Christopher “Chris” and Kendall “Ken” Canipe, of Shelby, and Laura and Joel Blanton of Concord.  She is also survived by two sisters, Jennie Ivie of Shelby, and Sylvia Langston of Greensboro.  The family would like to express thanks to those who cared for Helen, including those at home and at the hospital.  A special thank you is extended to Patty Baber for extraordinary care.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2011, at Eastside Baptist Church, Shelby.  The funeral will be held at 7:00 p.m. immediately following visitation with the Rev. Leland Kerr and the Rev. Jerome Cash officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Cleveland Memorial Park. 

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Blanton.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

 

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