Ella Claire (O'Rear) Blanchard

Ella Claire O’Rear Blanchard

Ella Claire O’Rear Blanchard age 82 of White Plains, Georgia passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2014 in Athens Regional Hospital.  A native of White Plains, Georgia, Ella Claire was the daughter of the late James Lary O’Rear and the late Myra Shelnutt O’Rear.  She was born in the old O’Rear homeplace in Hancock County on September 8, 1931.

She had a happy childhood attending grade school at the schoolhouse in White Plains.  Ella Claire attended high school in Greene County and was a member of the 4-H club.  After high school she went to West Georgia College in Carrollton completing an associate degree in Home Economics and Vocational Education.  She then attended Georgia State College for women in Milledgeville where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics.  Ella Claire also completed her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University in Atlanta.  She made teaching her life for 29 years retiring in 1984.  After retirement she still felt the love for teaching and was a substitute teacher for a short time in Greene County.

While working as a young woman out of college as a Home Demonstration Agent in Columbia County she was introduced to Harry Eugene Blanchard.  Ella Claire and Harry married on March 8, 1953 at the White Plains Baptist Church.  They were married for 59 years.  Ella Claire was a devoted wife and mother and loved the White Plains Baptist Church and its community.  

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harry Blanchard.  Survivors include daughter, Nancy Blanchard of the residence, son, James Eugene Blanchard and wife Debbie of Ozark, Alabama; granddaughters, Jamie and husband Burt Ahlzadeh of Auburn, Alabama and Abby and husband Justin Fetsko of Dothan, Alabama; great grandchildren, Moe Forbes, Naomi and Ilana Ahlzadeh, Emily Ann and Houston Fetsko; beloved cousins, Bobbie Lary Rocker and her daughter Bonnie Rocker of Crawfordville, GA; Jenny Lynn Searle of Conyers, GA and Susan Couillou and husband Chris of Fayetteville, GA; brother-in-law, Randall and wife Evelyn of McDonough, GA; sister-in-law, Nancy Blanchard of Appling, GA; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at White Plains Baptist Church, 1020 Main Street East, White Plains, GA 30678 with Rev. Dr. Norman Waldrip and Rev. Michael S. Thigpen officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Ike Moore, Charles Stewart, Bob Beeland, David Price, Jody Vandiver and Dock Shelnutt III.  Serving as honorary pallbearers are the deacons of the White Plains Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until time for the service at White Plains Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made in memory of Ella Claire Blanchard to the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery Endowment or Maintenance Fund, P. O. Box 38, White Plains, GA 30678.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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