Polly Pepper"Paya"Blanche

Polly "Paya" Pepper Blanche, 91, died Saturday, August 1, 2015 at home in Baton Rouge after a brief illness. She was born in Shreveport, LA on March 2, 1924 to the late John and Pauline Pepper. Her husband of 54 years, Justice Fred A Blanche, Jr.; daughter, Elizabeth Sterling Blanche; and brother, John L Pepper, Jr. preceded her in death. Passionately committed to helping her community, her volunteer activities are too numerous to mention; however, she was particularly grateful for the years she spent as a helper at the Cerebral Palsy Clinic and as a board member of the Speech and Hearing Foundation. She also served on the boards of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, the Sheltered Workshop, Chi Omega and LSU Union. She was also a Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout troop leader for many years, and taught Home Economics at LSU and Art at Episcopal High School. She was a very talented and prolific artist for more than 45 years. Her paintings, collages and batiks have been included in various museum and gallery collections and grace the walls of many homes in the region. She was a skilled Bridge player and avid reader throughout her life. A charter member of her beloved book club, La Lecture, which began in 1945, the group met at her home less than three months ago. She is survived by her children Fred A Blanche, III and daughter-in-law, Karen L Blanche; Lauren Blanche Andrews and Dr. Robert Vincent Blanche. Her 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren are Frederick A. Blanche IV, Lewis Burdette Blanche, Dr. Elizabeth Blanche Ezelle, Allison Lauren Blanche, Ehren Owen Blanche, Taylor Alexander Blanche, Jackson Andrews, Madison Blanche, McKenzie Blanche, Katie Blanche Andrews, Sara Beth Andrews, Robert Vincent Blanche, Jr., Julian James Blanche, Alexander Borie Blanche, Roman Carter Blanche, Emma Sterling Ezelle and Colette Palmer Blanche. She was particularly grateful for the attention and kindness of Karen Blanche, Margaret Boudreaux, Robin Palmer Blanche and Elva Evans in the last years of her life. Too numerous to mention are her many long time friends who attended to her throughout her last illness. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Wylie Barrow and John Pepper. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street will be Tuesday, August 4, 2015 beginning at 9:00 AM with services at 11:00 AM at Rabenhorst. Interment will be private.