Volerah "Val" Willis Blanchard, 92, of Tifton went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, July 26, 2009, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Glenn Martin will officiate with a private burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Wesley Thornhill, Preston Thornhill, Trevor Thornhill, Mark Robinson, Ted Thornhill, Frank Sumner, Jr. and Jerry Sumner, all nephews of Mrs. Blanchard, will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals, prior to the service.
Born October 19, 1917 in Tift County, Mrs. Blanchard was the daughter of the late John Preston Willis and Mahala Gibbs Willis. Educated in Omega public schools, Mrs. Blanchard lived in various parts of the country before settling in Decatur, where she owned and operated a beauty salon for many years. However, in 1974, she returned to Tifton and was employed at ABAC as a dorm mother. Retiring from that position in 1984, she became active in community service and her church, Tifton's First United Methodist Church. In addition, she was a member of UMW Circle 8 and the Primrose Garden Club.
Known to her family and friends as "Val", she always kept in touch with her many relatives and friends, who sought her calm counsel during difficult times.
If preferred, those desiring to remember Val may make donations to Tifton's First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Tiftarea.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five of her sisters, Iris Joseph, Myrtice Simmons, Esta Lee Wilder, Naomi Sumner and Elma Willis; and three brothers, Hansel Willis, John Henry Willis and R. P. Willis.
Mrs. Blanchard is survived by two sons, Stephen Allen Blanchard and Robert Douglas Blanchard; and one sister, Elna Thornhill of Tifton. Mrs. Blanchard also has many special nieces and nephews.