Dorothy Ann Blanding died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.
Born June 17, 1944, in Manning, she was a daughter of Hiram and Ada Lee Lemon Blanding. She attended the public schools of Clarendon County.
She was the dedicated and loving mother of Dwayne A. Blanding but, without a doubt, she was also mother and guardian to a number of nieces and nephews.
She was employed with the Clarendon County Health Department for more than 25 years. She also served with the Guardian ad Litem program as an advocate for at-risk children. She was a devoted sister in the Order of the Eastern Star Spring Hill Chapter No. 263, where she was elected worthy matron in 2004.
She attended and was a faithful worker at St. John Baptist Church in Silver. She later became an active member at Fellowship Baptist Church in Manning, where she served as finance treasurer, the Benevolent Fund treasurer, Little Angel Choir director, Sunday school superintendent and in any other capacity in which she was tasked.
Dorothy Ann Blanding was preceded in death by her little angel, Deborah, and eight siblings.
Survivors include her son, Dwayne Blanding (April McBride); six children she raised as her own, Herman Blanding, Lee James (Ricky) Blanding, Jodale Blanding, Angela David Canty, Melvin Semper and Christian Canty; 13 treasured grandchildren, Jordan, Marrianna, A’Marria, LaToya, Herman (A.J.), Kourtney, Kollyn, Jaedee, Melvin Jr., Melissa, Shanpriest, Chelce and Yul I. (P.J.); three beloved sisters, Ada (Isaac) Canty of Manning and Evangelist Jesteen (Christopher) Richbourg and Minister Mazzie Jordan, both of Thomasville, N.C.; five additional in-laws, Praise Worth Richbourg, Louis Brailsford, Harriett S. Blanding, Evangelist Elizabeth B. Blanding and Naomi Simon; and a number of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the home, 6413 Silver Road in Manning.
A service of remembrance for Dorothy Ann Blanding will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at Fellowship Baptist Church, where the Rev. Jonathan Anderson Sr., pastor, will bring words of comfort.
A service of interment will follow at St. John Baptist Church cemetery in Silver.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.flemingdelaine.com or sent for the family to flemingdelaine@aol.com.
Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of services for Dorothy Ann Blanding.
