Carolyn Louise Blanks, 72, of Festus died April 5, 2023, at her home. Mrs. Blanks received her early education in Colquitt County, Ga., and graduated from William Bryant High School. She attended Grambling State University in Grambling, La., then went to work for Baldor Electric Motors until retiring in 2006. She was Christian and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Crystal City, where she loved to hear the choir sing, especially the song “Awesome.” She was a member of the American War Mothers, serving as president for eight years alongside her sister-in-law, Cassandra Blanks, as her vice-president. She was adventurous and enjoyed traveling, fishing, sewing in her basement workroom, the color green, and spending time with family and friends. Born May 29, 1950, in Moultrie, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Fred Dennis and Louise Marie Hunt. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years: David Eugene Blanks, whom she married May 5, 1974.
She is survived by three sisters: Gwendolyn Swain of Cherry Hill, N.J., Renae (Howell) Woods of Chicago, Ill., and Miayako Dennis of Chicago, Ill.; four brothers: Bishop Gus (Loree) Swain Jr. of Swedesboro, N.J., and Larry Dennis, Randy Anderson and Ronnie Anderson, all of Chicago; three sisters-in-law: Diana (Gregory) Nance of Dayton, Ohio, Donna Fluker of St. Louis, Cassandra Blanks of Herculaneum; a brother-in-law: Ray (Helen) Blanks of Potosi; David’s son: Shelton Blanks of Los Angeles, Calif.; a very special cousin: Ursula Calvin of Atlanta, Ga.; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother: Harold Hunt.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins Dr., in Festus. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.