Gertrude Blanton

Gertrude Blanton Obituary Gertrude “Louise” McGhee Blanton, 84 of Cleveland, Ohio passed away on December 22, 2023. Gertrude was born on September 5, 1939, to the late Hattie Frank Tanner McGhee and Tommy McGhee, Sr. in Ellerslie, Georgia. She attended Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia and graduated in 1958. She met Melvin Blanton in 1959, and they were married in 1960. From that union, they had three children, Veronica, Monica, and Rodney. In 1966, Gertrude, Melvin and kids in tow moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Melvin Blanton preceded her in death on January 21, 2022. Louise quickly made friends with the other moms in the neighborhood when she arrived in Cleveland. As a lunch aide at Anton Grdina elementary school, all the kids adored her. She would later work at Aramark Uniform Services where she eventually retired. Gertrude was quiet, strong, independent, and had a great sense of humor. She enjoyed going to church. She was a member of Mt. Haven Missionary Baptist Church. She worked in culinary preparing breakfast for the church members. She had a passion for charities; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation were dear to heart, and she would make regular donations. She loved doing word search puzzles. She loved reading. She was an avid reader of books, magazines, or just anything she found interesting. She loved movies, some of her favorite television shows were Walker Texas Ranger, Laramie, or any western show. She enjoyed shopping, going to Amish Country, casinos, but her favorite thing to do was visit family in Columbus, GA. She loved the long drive. As soon as the car was on the road, she would fall asleep. She always kept in constant touch with her family in Georgia. She would spend hours on the phone with her siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Gertrude leaves many loved ones to cherish her memory: children, Veronica Blanton, Monica Blanton Teamer, and Rodney Blanton (Radiah Blanton), all of Cleveland, OH; brothers Tommy McGhee (Robin McGhee) of Columbus, GA, Louis James McGhee (Lillian McGhee-deceased) of Columbus, GA; sister, Earline Baker of Lilburn, GA; predeceased siblings: Christine Hoskins, Hattie Mae Jenkins, Dennis McGhee, Bessie Allen, Mammie Holmes, Precious Ferguson, and Arthur Wald; five grandchildren, Marlon Wills (Jamese Wills), Taylor Golston, Jeron Blanton, all of Cleveland, OH, Joel Clayton of Jacksonville, FL; Justin Blanton (deceased); three great grandchildren, Madison Wills, Mason Wills, and Zoe Wills; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Rest now Momma! We will see you again. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude Blanton, please visit our floral store. Read More

Gertrude Blanton

September 5, 1939 - December 22, 2023