Clovis Laverne Brake Blanton left this life peacefully on October 5th, 2018, her 94th birthday. She saw and did things in those years that she could never have dreamed she would see and do. She met and married Bill Blanton and together they toured many of the Army Air Force bases in this country during WWII. After the war they returned with Judy to settle into life on Carroll Avenue in Carrollton, Texas. Tom came shortly thereafter and then that tiny house became tinier with the births of Ellen and Janet. A move up the hill to Francis Street was a dream-come-true for both Clovis and Bill and they happily watched their kids learn the piano, march in the band, graduate from R.L. Turner High School and go off to universities in Austin and Houston.
When a group asked Bill to run for the Texas House of Representatives Clovis set out to make a nice home-away-from-home for the two of them in Austin for 10 years. They loved this time and made many lasting friendships. After tasting a Schlotzsky’s sandwich in Austin, Bill convinced Clovis that they should go into the business. They jumped in and ultimately had several franchise locations in the area.
Over the years Clovis and Bill were faithful members of First Methodist Church of Carrollton and later Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where they found a wonderful fellowship with their Sunday School class. Over many years they stayed close with high school friends as they played 42 in each other’s homes. Those friendships meant the world to both Clovis and Bill.
Clovis was truly gifted as a homemaker, mother and especially wife. She and Bill continued their courtship for more than 71 years while pouring their love into their kids, grandkids and finally great-grandkids. She leaves her four kids, Judy and husband, Larry; Tom and wife, Janice; Ellen and husband, Lee; Janet and husband, Keith; Judy’s daughters, Kelly Cyphers and husband, Stephen and Kathryn Gamble and husband Rob; Tom’s sons, Page and wife ,Jennifer; Whitney and wife, Cristina; and Hunter. The next generation includes Kelly’s children, Nathan, Taylor, Reagan, Devyn and Sadie; Kathryn’s kids, Sydney and Lucas; and Whitney’s children, Jonah and Ruth. Clovis loved them all and they all adored and will greatly miss their GaGa.
Caring for Clovis in her later years was a group of truly Visiting Angels. Alice Joanah spent days singing and praying with her. Evenings were spent with Lucille Gatume and Margaret King, watching TV and winding down the day. Weekends Clovis was entertained and loved by Thelma Ostlund. Primarily caring for Clovis during her final years was her amazing daughter, Ellen, who moved back to Texas just in time to supervise Bill’s last years and see to Clovis’ every need in the most tender and compassionate way. Ellen’s siblings are forever grateful for her generous gift to our parents.
As Clovis would say, “In the big scheme of things, I’ve been a very blessed old lady.” She truly was blessed and blessed to know it.
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