Maria Walburga Blanton

She was born on February 2, 1935, in Ampermoching, Germany, the daughter of the late Adalbert and Magdalena Wittmann. Maria was preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph and Edi Wittmann.

Surviving siblings are brothers, Albert, Ludwig, Wilhem, Adolf, Ande and Erwin Wittmann of Germany; sisters, Lene Knittel and Christa Zohns of Germany. Maria was a loving mother and is survived by her son, Donnie Blanton and wife Jovelyn of Wilmington, NC; daughters, Louise and husband James Woods of Leland, NC, June and husband Ted Kort of Wilmington, NC and Carol and husband Steve Burge of Mooresville, NC; granddaughters Gretchen Foster, Michaela and Elizabeth Rigsbee, Christina Kort, and Daniella Blanton; grandsons Kevin Burge, Graham Woods, Theodore Kort, and Payton D. Blanton, III; and great grandchildren Peyton Case, Jeria Woods, Vera Woods, Kolton Burge and Liliane Burge.

Maria was a woman of grace, compassion and had a devoted spiritual heart. She grew up in Ampermoching, Germany and came to the United States in 1958. Maria became a U.S. Citizen in 1981 which was one of her proudest achievements. She volunteered her time to the New Hanover Memorial Hospital, New Hanover County Arboretum and her church ministries. She loved the coastal North Carolina beaches and tending to her beautiful and abundant flower gardens around her home. Her passion was to share the love of Christ to friends, family and the Wilmington community. Her loyal support was to the international Christian ministries that spread God's love around the world.

In celebration of Maria's life, a memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Myrtle Grove Presbyterian, 800 Piner Road Wilmington, NC with Robert Mercer officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.org. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Maria's many friends, the residents of West Gate Senior Community and the staff of the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center for their kindness and gracious support in her final days.