Birth Date: 07/17/1939
Deceased Date: 09/01/2024
James “Jimmy” Blanchard died peacefully in his Mount Gilead, NC home on Sunday afternoon, September 1, 2024. At the age of 85, his big heart finally just gave out.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Ellen Avery Blanchard, and a daughter and son-in-law, Cindy & Brent Brewbaker, that he lived with at Lake Tillery. His son and daughter-in-law, Ricky & Sandy Wade and grandson, Kevin Wade, all live in Erwin, NC. Kevin is not just Jimmy’s only grandchild, but he and Alicia have now taken on guardianship of Jimmy’s beloved dachshund pup, Zack. Jimmy has two surviving sisters & brothers-in-law – Jeannette Raybon, and husband, Shane, from Albemarle, NC and Margaret Jamison, and husband Steve, from Gilbertsville, KY. He is also survived by 5 of his 6 nephews, and 3 nieces.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Ausley, whose husband, Joe, still lives in the Christian Light community near Lillington, NC. He was also preceded in death by his younger sister, Muriel Layman of Spring Lake, NC.
Jimmy was born in Lillington, NC on July 17, 1939 and graduated from Lillington High School, Class of 1958. After high school, he entered the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Pocono. After fulfilling his commitment to the Navy, he returned to Harnett County and shortly after met and married Ellen while working at Blue Bell. He later worked for Baker Nail Company, also in Lillington, and then spent 17 years with the Harnett County School System, serving in a variety of positions. Jimmy & Ellen lived in Erwin until 2016 before moving to Lake Tillery to be closer to their daughter, Cindy.
Mr. Blanchard loved his family and made sure he never missed one of Ricky’s baseball games or Cindy’s cheer events. Jimmy was a member of the Erwin Church of God and served the church in various capacities including Church Council, Men’s Fellowship and would drive the van for “Young at Heart” road trips. The younger Jimmy loved playing softball and then picked up golf later in life with his church buddies down at Pine Burr. After retiring from golf, he became a professional television watcher. He enjoyed a wide array of shows starting with his morning game shows, afternoon soap operas, nighttime Nationals baseball, with a daily dose of Jimmy Swaggart ministries. Even though he hated to fly, Jimmy grew to tolerate it and traveled frequently after his retirement in 2003. He especially loved Las Vegas and traveling through Arizona and the Grand Canyon area. Most of all, Jimmy bled NC State red!
For the last several months of his life, Jimmy was supported by his most favorite nurse, Emily Blevins, who provided invaluable daily support to the entire family. During the last few weeks, he was also under the care of Tillery Compassionate Care’s hospice group. Their beneficial services allowed him to remain comfortable and spend his last few days at home with family by his side.
Jimmy’s extended family will be receiving friends at the Erwin location (904 Lucas Street, Erwin, NC 28339) of the Dunn Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 starting @ 6 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice that you believe Jimmy would have loved.
West and Dunn Funeral Home, now Dunn Funeral Home, is honored to serve the James Carroll Blanchard family.
