BLACKSBURG – Claude Allen Blanton, 75, of 253 Garden Lakes Drive, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2010, at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Born in Blacksburg, Mr. Blanton was the husband of Yvonne Hawkins Blanton of the home and son of the late Nazie B. and Rhea Ola Byars Blanton. Mr. Blanton retired from Duke Energy, but also worked for the Town of Blacksburg and Holly Grove Catering. He

served his country with the

United States

Marines, was a member of Buffalo Lodge No. 202 AFM, and a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Blanton is survived by a step-son, Clayton Eric Collins of the home; two step-daughters, Elaine Moose of Mt. Pleasant, N.C., and Shirley Hensley of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two stepgrandchildren; eight stepgreat grandchildren; a brother, Larry Wayne Blanton of Blacksburg; and three sisters, Cherry Blanton Spencer of Blacksburg, Jewel Beverly Wilt of Johnstown, Pa., and Lena Hartness of Engleton, Colo.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Blanton was preceded in death by his first wife, Emma V. Harvey Blanton; three brothers, Howard Byars, Sullivan (Bobo) Blanton and Tommy D. Blanton; and a sister, Regina Blanton Carroll.

Services were held Sunday, July 4, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Alester McKinney, the Rev. Scott Hammett and the Rev. Ken Reid officiating. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Richard Hope, Tony Blanton, Barkley Spencer, Wayne Bellew, Don Messenger, Buford Blanton and Johnny Fortenberry.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Jabez and Fidelity Classes.

Visitation was Saturday, July 3, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Gordon Mortuary.

The family is at the residence.

Memorials may be made to the Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or to First Baptist Church, 103 S. Rutherford St., Blacksburg, SC 29702.

The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary. com.