Blanche McPherson Malone

Blanche Evelyn McPherson Schultz Malone, born October 12, 1920, to Edith Minton Spann and John Milton McPherson in Triune, Tennessee. She passed away on June 2, 2021, at the age of 100. She was a descendant of Richard Hyde Spann, founder of Spann Town. She graduated from College Grove High School, where she excelled in basketball. Moving to Nashville, she began business college, while working. She and her sister, Dora, played AAU professional basketball after being recruited to work at Vultee during WWII and play for the powerhouse women’s basketball team, the Vultee Bomberettes, winning the national championship in St. Joseph, Missouri. They also played for Cook’s GoldBlumes, Nashville Business College, and the TN Highway Patrol Dreamettes before being recruited to playing Atlanta for the Atlanta Sports Arena Blues, who played before Georgia Tech men’s games. She loved playing for the legendary coach Leo Long and playing games at the old Father Ryan gym. They also played softball for the Convacs, winning the city championship. Blanche was named All-Star 2nd baseman at the state tournament. She was also a champion bowler, winning many City Championships, her favorites being the one she won at age 75 and the State 600 championship. Blanche was a part of Nashville Sports Royalty and is in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville.

She married Bob Schultz, the Nashville Vols left-handed pitcher who won 25-games in their championship season. They were married on April 7, 1950. Their wedding photo was on the front-page of the Tennessean sports page the next day. He was drafted and played for the Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates & the Detroit Tigers until 1956.

She worked in the transportation department for Seward Air Base where she met and later married James O. Malone, Jr. She retired from the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service in 1986 after 29 years of civil service. She bowled throughout her life and watched her favorite teams, the Atlanta Braves baseball, Alabama and TNTitans football and Duke basketball. She was a gardener and loved to watch plants as well as people grow. She was a life member of Ladies of Charity. Most of all, she loved her family and her extended family. She adored her children, grandsons, and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jim Malone, sister, Rubye Jordan, brother, Hilary McPherson, niece, Betty Jean Neal, special cousins, Marie Spann, and Marion Spann. She leaves behind a great legacy. She is survived by daughter, Debbie Schultz (Charles) Chadwick, son, Duffy (Trish) Schultz, grandsons, Joshua(Sara) Schultz, Michael (Melanie) Schultz, Kristofer (Carrie) Chadwick, Zachary (Justine) Schultz, Erich (Emily) Chadwick and Phillipe (Nick Maynard) Chadwick, and Timothy Charles Chadwick, great-grandchildren Rachel (Tyler) Bobilya, Isaiah Duffy Diaz, Abby, Drew & Owen Chadwick, Mason & Jake Chadwick, Sophia & Solomon Schultz, sister, Dora McPherson Bingham and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation for the excellent care provided over the last 12 years to Dr. Tom Brittingham, Dr. Kenneth Laws, Dr. Andrew Sager, Dr. William Wassynger, and Dr. Ryan Pearman.

Gathering of family and friends will be held at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 8th from 3:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, June 9th from 9:30-11:30 am, with Celebration of Life at 11:30 am in Dignity Hall, officiated by Reverend Father Joseph Patrick Breen and Mike McPherson with interment immediately following at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Father Ryan High School, Ladies of Charity, or the charity of your choice.