Blanche Settles

What is the definition of a life well lived? Fame? Fortune? Success? According to many surveys of adults over 55, an overwhelming number of respondents say that being loved by friends and family is the true mark of a good life; followed closely by making a positive impact on society.

Butcher Hollar may be able to claim the queen of country music, but the small town of North Springs, in Jackson County Tn, can claim the matriarch of a life truly well lived. Blanche Merline Whitaker, born on June 17th, 1931 to parents Radford Leo Whitaker and Etta Elzora Cherry. The Whitakers had four children total: Blanche, Mary Ann, Robbie Frances, who died form whooping couch as an infant, and baby Marvin, who was stillborn. Blanche’s story of a life well lived spans 90 years and counting, but took an unexpected and life changing turn on a winters night in January of 1946.

Blanche’s children and family always knew she had survived a terrible incident, however, the details were rarely discussed in depth until now. So let’s journey back to that night in 1946.

Leo Whitaker worked for the sawmills in town as a logger. In the 1940’s the loggers would cut one hollar and move to the next. This occupation would cause Leo’s family to move about the small towns of North Springs and Whitleyville while he worked. Blanche described that most people in the town knew he was a logger and there were always plenty of little homes to rent. As a young girl, those hollars were Blanche’s playground. In 1946 the home that she and her family lived in was situated near a little bridge, facing a creek and sat at the base of a small bluff. Sadly, this would be the last home the Whitaker family would share together.

On that fateful night that probably seemed routine like all of the other nights, the Whitaker family’s story would encounter a tragedy that would ultimately shape Blanche into the person she is today. Around 4:00 am, the waters began to come. Unable to push the kitchen door open because of the rushing water, the family was basically trapped in their home. Before they knew it, the home shifted and began to float. The details are a bit sketchy, as they often are in such a traumatic event. The paper reported the following; “that stream (Jennings Creek) exceeded any former flood by several feet following an unprecedented rainfall all along the stream”. Six lives were lost that day and thousands of dollars of damage to property and crops.

For seven hours (4am-11am), 14 year old Blanche hung on to a debris filled bush. Her small, frozen hands were just strong enough to hold the branch, but were unable to grab hold to a rescue rope. It was then that was she was rescued by a man known as Toot Hailey. He took her to a neighbors home while search and rescue continued. Blanche’s family, however, did not meet the same fate. They did not survive the floodwaters. Leo(47), Blanches mother, Etta(30), and her 4 year old baby sister Mary Ann were found several days later about a mile downstream from where their home once stood.

Blanche was taken in by a kind older lady in the community, Mrs. Cassetty, whose husband owned a grocery store. She learned many life skills while living in the Cassetty’s home; assisting with housework, learning to cook, and milking cows. Most likely, this experience was the impetus of cultivating Blanche’s strong work ethic that continues to be her legacy to this very day.

Soon after, an aunt, living in Nashville would take Blanche in. This relationship would become one of the most significant of her life. Not only was Eva Cherry Settles her aunt, but the two married World War 2 soldiers and brothers Fred Settles (Eva) and Pem Brook Harrod Junior Settles (Blanche), making them sisters in law. Eva was one of seven siblings on her mother’s side: Eva, Pearlie, Moline, Ada, Annie, John, and James(Jim). Blanche’s father Leo was one of 8 children.

After their brief courtship, Blanche did indeed fall in love with Pem and eventually said yes to his proposal. Saying yes to Pem also gained Blanche the most amazing new family. Pem had a large family that quickly became a very important part of her life to this very day.

Blanche and Pem enjoyed a modest start to married life, sharing a home with Fred and Eva. Blanche began working at Werthan Bags. This job would most definitely require strength and endurance both physically and mentally. Rising early everyday for the next 50 years to stand on the factory line making burlap bags certainly put this work ethic to the test. This grueling work would leave her covered in bagging fibers and required immediate bathing at the end of her shift. However, this grueling work would also eventually provide the family with the means to purchase their home in 1959 where Blanche still resides today.

This home would be where Pem and Blanche would raise their family. David Settles was born 5/17/1951, Danny Settles born 5/14/1954, and daughter Tammy Settles Cunningham on 2/6/1965. As the years passed, this home would also be filled with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Not only did Blanche work full time at Werthan Bags, she was also a full time homemaker. There has been a pot of pinto beans on the stove and a pan of cornbread in the oven since 1959. She worked tirelessly caring for her family. Whether it was cooking, sewing, hanging wallpaper, or laying a new linoleum floor in the kitchen, her family and home life always came first. Her hobbies were gardening, cooking and shopping. Although husband Pem raised champion hunting dogs, Blanche preferred the indoor companionship of small dogs, mostly poodles. She usually wouldn’t turn an animal away and on more than one occasion she would let in a stray Tom cat, nurse his wounds with some salve, and let him warm up by the wall heater.

She often enjoyed early morning shopping at Rivergate Mall where she could always find a good deal on a new piece of jewelry or a beautiful blouse to add to her wardrobe. The fruits of a lifetime of hard labor she could now enjoy.

Unfortunately tragedy would find Blanche again in 1998. Just weeks after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Pem Settles would suffer a heart attack that ended his life. Again, loss cast it’s dark shadow over the family. There were moments she didn’t feel that she could go on, but she persisted. She had began to help a friend with their cleaning service. This would lead to her working full time for Earl Swensson Architecture firm in Nashville.

For 17 years she reported for work, impeccably dressed and finally abundantly compensated for her experience, positive attitude, and incomparable work ethic. Her duties were to keep the lobby cleaned, the presidents’s office cleaned, and to set up the conference room for lunch meetings. She has often remarked that if she’d had this job her whole life, she could have worked until she was 100. In a full circle kind of moment, a young associate found out that she had worked at Werthan Bags, which had recently been converted to high end condos. He had just purchased a unit, and invited her on a tour of the newly converted space where she was able to provide him with a glimpse of the building’s rich history.

Those 17 years were filled with many joyful moments for Blanche and some fun day trips along the way. It was during this time that she and her friend would go to the gambling boat where she would enjoy a day of penny slots and a buffet lunch; but always home by evening to care for her faithful furry companion. As of recent, Blanche still enjoys a drive to the country or down the Natchez Trace for a scenic car ride.

While these near 2 decades were a mostly happy time, tragedy certainly didn’t pass over the Settles’ family entirely. Blanche’s daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma and breast cancer and underwent extensive and invasive treatment for both, with her husband also passing away during the time. Son , David, was diagnosed with throat cancer and a heart condition. Both required treatment. Blanche’s son, Danny, suffered an unsurvivable heart attack in 2006 following a lengthy illness that required dialysis. His untimely death at 52 once again propelled Blanche into unbearable grief.

Fortunately, like she had done so many times, Blanche drew from her inner strength and perseverance and dug her way out of the darkness. She is a survivor. She is a warrior. In June of 2021, friends and family gathered around her to celebrate her 90th birthday. This day was spent in laughter and reminiscing. Stories were told, memories were shared, and new memories were created. Currently, Blanche’s days are spent visiting with family, caring for her dog Penny, tending to her plants, and growing vegetables. Years of working puzzles and reading books have kept her mind sharp. Although her strength and endurance are waning, her spirit remains strong. Blanche will face this new storm of aging and loss of independence like she has weathered every other storm: she will hold on for dear life. It is important to tell her story. A story of a life well lived.

A visitation for Blanche will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 1150 South Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN 37072, followed by a celebration of life service at 3:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestLawnFuneral-Goodlettsville.com for the Settles family.