Robert Coleman Blanton

Reverend Robert Blanton went to his heavenly home on Friday, April 12, 2024. Robert Coleman Blanton was born to Julia Ann Cope Blanton and Thomas Posey Blanton at the bottom of Ochre Hill in Sylva, NC on October 9, 1932. He was the oldest of five children.

After graduating from Sylva High School in 1951, Robert enlisted in the US Army. It was during this time that he made a commitment to ministry. Robert returned home to Sylva in 1956 and married Edith Fisher; they had four children. After first taking a job in the cotton mills of Gastonia, NC, Robert moved his family back to Jackson County and worked for the School Board for 35 years.

Robert served as a pastor in Jackson County for more than 40 years, serving several local churches until 1980 when he accepted the pastorate at Deitz Memorial Baptist Church. He served as their pastor until his retirement in February 2023. During this time Robert was active with the Tuckaseigee Baptist Association, served on the Board of the Baptist State Convention, and the Christian Life Council. He served on mission trips, including to Togo, a trip he referenced much of his later life. He volunteered as chaplain at CJ Harris Hospital and was active with the American Legion.

Robert stayed busy throughout his retirement with his pastoral work, but also worked at the Jackson County School of Alternatives (The Hub) teaching children about horticulture, a job that he loved dearly.

Robert also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading numerous histories and biographies, and telling a good story. His family was his pride and joy.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Posey, his siblings Emma Lou Wilkes, Marion Parker (Charlie), Ransom Blanton (Laverne), and his infant son Timothy Robert. He was also preceded in death by grandchildren Angelica Masters, Kimberly Hobbs, and Savannah Mathis.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Edith Fisher Blanton; his daughters Katrinka "Tinky" Barnett (Glenn), Rhonda Blanton, Linda Hobbs (Jeff); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom he was known as Papaw: Natalie Norman (Greg), Lee Franks, Jessica Masters, Steven Masters (Wilma), Cheyenne Ashe, Travis Mathis, Kaleb Masters (Hayden), and Kevin Vernon; great-grandchildren: Tanner Norman (Kaitlyn), Brittany Grant (Harley), Dakota Hobbs, Lydia Norman, Lilyona Shuler, Mason Mathis, Fisher Shuler, and Avery Masters.

He is also survived by his brother Roland Blanton (Jean) and brother-in-law Allen Wilkes, numerous nieces and nephews, special friends, and loved ones.

To know Robert meant that you were welcomed into his family.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 18, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home with the Rev. John Reid and Rev. Eddie Stillwell officiating, and burial will follow at the Norman-Blanton cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until 2:00 pm prior to the service.