Debra Suzanne Blanchard

Counties Lose Blanchard To Cancer

County associations and officials across the state lost a valuable ally with the death of Debbie Blanchard, chief administrative officer for the Tennessee County Services Association. She had been with CTAS for nearly 15 years, all the while earnestly working for county officials through her passionate commitment to outstanding customer service.

Born in Greenville, MS, May 29, 1953, she lost her lengthy battle with cancer on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at the age of 61. She was a resident of Hermitage, TN.

“We lost a good friend and amazing human being to cancer,” said David Connor, executive director of the Tennessee County Services Association. “I had the privilege of working daily with Debbie for over a decade. But this year, after she received a terminal diagnosis and continued to fight, to love, to care and to endure, I witnessed a strength like I’d never seen before. In the end, she lost her battle, but I can guarantee you this was a fight that cancer regretted ever starting.”

Blanchard began her career with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the State of New Hampshire before taking a break to raise a family. She started with the Tennessee Department of Surplus Property in 1987 and went on to work as legislative assistance to state Rep. Arnold Stulce from 1992-2000.

Her work at the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) started in January 2001 as an administrative assistance and put her in daily contact with county officials through direct assistance to county associations. She joined TCSA full time July 1, 2014.

“Her customer group included county mayors/executives, county commissioners and highway officials,” said J. Rodney Carmical, executive director of the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association. “But without question, county highway officials were her personal favorites. She called highway officials ‘her guys.’”

TCHOA recently honored Blanchard for her outstanding customer service, professional dedication and personal commitment to the goals and objectives of the association.

Added Carmical, “I am sure The Lord needed an experienced great chief administrative officer to organize, guide and direct His county highway officials association in Heaven. Now, He has the very best!”

Blanchard is survived by her companion, Tommy Williams of Wilson County, son Jason Carpenter, and brother Steve Blanchard of Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Dolly Blanchard.

Debbie Blanchard is a 1971 graduate of Abilene High School in Abilene, TX. She attended school at Volunteer State Community College and Belmont University.

Blanchard’s family held a memorial service December 18 at Hermitage United Methodist Church. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations should be forwarded to the Susan G. Komen foundation or the American Cancer Society to support future cancer research.

Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens 535 Shute Lane Old Hickory, TN 37138 615-889-0361 www.hermitagefh.com