Thomas Blanton Sr

Thomas Henry Blanton, Sr., died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 2, 2017, at the age of 83, while at Brookdale Assisted Living in Columbus, Ohio. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and friend. Thomas was born on March 15, 1933 in Rock Hill, South Carolina and was raised as a son by his uncle and adopted father Willie Lee Blanton, in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He received his high school diploma from Green’s Bethel High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. In 1956, Thomas graduated with his Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University, formerly known as North Carolina College at Durham. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1958, Thomas married Ramona Gray Brooks and moved to Mount Vernon, New York. They remained married for several years and had three children, Alethea, Alison and Thomas, Jr. (deceased). Thomas worked for New York City Department of Social Services as a social worker for over 20 years. Ramona went home to be with Jesus on November 24, 2009. On May 19, 1984, Thomas was remarried to Helen Louise Guerrant. They lived initially in Cambria Heights, Queens. In 1992, after their retirement, they moved to Marion Oaks, located in Ocala, Florida. Helen and Tommy, as his friends called him, joined Our Savior Lutheran Church where they were active in the choir and community service. Tommy was a member of the American Legion, the Community Patrol and the Save the Manatee Club. He loved gardening and was an avid fisherman. Helen and Tommy were together for nearly 27 years, until her passing on May 6, 2011. After this, Thomas moved to be close to his daughter Alethea and her family in Columbus, Ohio. There, he resided at the Worthington Senior Independent Apartments and later moved to Brookdale Assisted Living. Thomas is survived from his first marriage by his daughters, Alethea Gray and Alison Joy, as well as son-in-law Basil Morris and grandchildren Carlton, Amari, Tyshawn Thomas and Shalya and great-grandchildren, Teeshani, Alizah, Teenickia, Kiyah, Shaliyah, and Arielle. He was predeceased by his father Willie, son Thomas, Jr. and brothers James and Johnny. He is also survived from his marriage to Helen by stepchildren and in-laws: Hershel, Narda (deceased), Keith, Deborah, Deitra, Shirley, Lesley, Cherise; and grandchildren: Hershel III, Calvin (Tyshawn), Keisha, Khilee, Terrell, Jamel, Monique, Asia, Christopher, Anita, Daniel, Dominique, Keith, Angelica, Shalear, Hazella and Chauncey and two great-grandsons: Zayden, Amaree and Khiloh. Thomas also had three children from other relationships, Diane Blanton, Chris Blanton and Dawn Martin.