COWEE - Robert Lee Blanton passed away on March 18, 2022, at the age of 87 after a brief illness. Born July 16, 1934, to Robert McKinley Blanton and Bonnie Bridges Blanton in the Brush Creek community of Swain County, he lived for more than 55 years in the Cowee community of Macon County. He graduated from Swain County High School in 1955 and served two years in the U.S. Army. He also attended Fruitland Bible College and Covington Theological Seminary later in life and was ordained a minister. He pastored the Ball City Baptist Church in Madison County in the early 1980s.
Lee was a carpenter, mason, and contractor for most of his life and built dozens of houses in Macon and nearby counties. However, he held many other jobs during his life, including truck driver for Pepsi Cola, advertising salesman for several local radio stations, and farmer. Lee was a friendly and outgoing person who never met a stranger and worked nearly every day of his life; if not at a formal job, then in his large garden, woodworking shop, or lending a hand to someone else who needed it. He loved to deer hunt and spent the week of Thanksgiving for more than 30 years hunting in western Tennessee with son Keith. He loved to tell stories of his life experiences, both orally and in writing, and left his family a written legacy of life in the “old days.”
He is preceded in death by parents, Robert and Bonnie Blanton, and sister Hazel Laws. He is survived by brothers, John Blanton (Lucille) of Goose Creek, South Carolina, and Don Blanton (Jody) of Franklin; many nieces and nephews; son Keith Blanton of New Market, Tennessee; daughter, Robbie Blanton of Franklin; grandson, Michael Pruett of Leicester; granddaughter Dawn Batton (Ronald) of Franklin; great-granddaughter Isabella Batton (who he absolutely adored); his former wife Alice Pearce Blanton of Marble and former wife Barbara Walsh of Franklin.
The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Macon Funeral Home.
The funeral will be Saturday March 26, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Lloyd Fish will officiate.
Military honors will be provided by American Legion post #108 and VFW post #7339.
A private burial will be in the Tabor Cemetery on Brush Creek; there will be no graveside service.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.