Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Brenda Diane Blanton

Brenda Diane Mathis Blanton, 57, a non-smoker of Sherman, Texas, died Wed., Oct. 27, 1999, after a five-year courageous battle with lung cancer.

Mrs. Blanton was born February 6, 1942, in Arkadelphia, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Earl C. Mathis. Diane was a teacher, receiving her bachelors degree from Henderson State Teacher's College in Arkadelphia and a masters degree from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. She taught fourth grade at Crutchfield Elementary School in Sherman for 14 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Sherman Education Association, Texas State Teachers' Association and the National Education Association.

Mrs. Blanton is survived by her husband of 36 years, James F. 'Jimmy' Blanton of Sherman; her mother, Mrs. Earl C. Mathis of Arkadelphia; one daughter, Cynthia D. Jones of Houston, Texas; two sons and their wives, Scott and Amy Blanton and Chris and Holly Blanton, all of Sherman; and was 'Mimi' to two much-loved grand-daughters, Ashley and Abby Blanton, and a grandson, Tanner Scott Blanton. She is also survived by two brothers, Winston Mathis and Randall Mathis of Arkadelphia; two sisters, Gayle Owen of Greensboro, N.C., and June Wrinkle of Arkadelphia; her father-in-law, Jim Blanton of Okolona; and numerous nieces and nephews and great and great, great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Earl C. Mathis, a Methodist minister; a brother, Travis Mathis; and two sisters, Dorothy Christopher and Joyce Mathis.

Funeral services were held Sat., Oct. 30, at First United Methodist Church in Sherman with Dr. Jim Pledger, senior pastor of the church, presiding. Graveside services were held Mon., Nov. 1, at Center Ridge Cemetery near Gurdon with Dr. Jim Pledger and Rev. John Walls presiding. Arrangements were under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home, assisted locally by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.

Memorials may be made in Diane's honor to the Youth and Children's Ministries of First United Methodist Church, 401 N. Elm, Sherman, TX 75090; to the Davidson Methodist Campground, 4756 Hwy 182 W., Okolona, AR 71962; or to your favorite charity.