Blacksburg -- Claude Allen Blanton, 75, of 253 Garden Lakes Drive, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born in Blacksburg, Mr. Blanton was the husband of Yvonne Hawkins Blanton of the home and the son of the late Nazie B. and Rhea Ola Byars Blanton. Mr. Blanton retired from Duke Energy, but also worked for the Town of Blacksburg and Holly Grove Catering. He served his country by serving with the Marines, he was a member of the Buffalo Lodge #202 AFM, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon. In addition to his wife, Mr. Blanton is survived by a step-son, Clayton Eric Collins of the home; two step-daughters, Elaine Moose of Mt. Pleasant, NC and Shirley Hensley of St. Petersburg, FL; 2 step-grandchildren and 8 step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry Wayne Blanton of Blacksburg; and three sisters, Cherry Blanton Spencer of Blacksburg, Jewel Beverly Wilt of Johnstown, PA, and Lena Hartness of Engleton, CO. In addition to his parents, Mr. Blanton was preceded in death by his first wife, Emma V. Harvey Blanton; three brothers, Howard Byars, Sullivan (Bobo) Blanton, and Tommy D. Blanton; and a sister, Regina Blanton Carroll. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7 until 8:30 PM at Gordon Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 4, 2010, at 3 PM at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Alester McKinney, Rev. Scott Hammett, and Rev. Ken Reid officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Richard Hope, Tony Blanton, Barkley Spencer, Wayne Bellew, Don Messenger, Buford Blanton and Johnny Fortenberry will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Jabez and Fidelity Classes. The family will be at the residence. Memorials may be made to the Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or to First Baptist Church, 103 South Rutherford Street, Blacksburg, SC 29702. The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary.com.