ROSA LEE BLANDING

Posted

Rosa Lee Blanding, 79, was born on May 29, 1939, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Senior and Delia Pinkney Abram. She waited patiently on her call from God with a smile and answered that call at 2:13 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at NHC HealthCare of Sumter.

She attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Lincoln High School. She accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, USA, Dalzell. She later became a member of Mt. Olive AME Church after being united in marriage to Richard Blanding. "Mud," as she was affectionately known, was a faithful member of Mt. Olive AME Church, where she served as a missionary, stewardess, Sunday school scholar, and sang with the TJ Slater Singers and Senior Unity Choir.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Sandra A. Rhinehart, Joyce Blanding, Teresa Blanding, Bernard (Karen) Blanding and Dexter (Tarnesha) Blanding, all of Sumter, Herbert (Jolene) Blanding of Myrtle Beach and Stepforn (Arlene) Blanding of Charlotte, North Carolina; 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Thomasina Abram and Irene Blanding; a host of special nieces and nephews, along with other relatives and friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, Teresa Blanding, 1070 Habitat Drive, Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Mt. Olive AME Church, 2738 Woodrow Road, Woodrow, with the Rev. Dr. Friendly J. Gadson, pastor, eulogist.

The remains will be placed in the church at noon for viewing until the hour of service.

The funeral procession will leave at noon from the home.

Burial will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Garden, Pear Street, Sumter.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at

www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.