Fannie “Jo” Blanks, age 97 of Pelham, AL passed away on Wednesday April 11, 2018. She was predeceased by her father, George C. Blanks; mother, Frances D. Blanks; brothers, George W. (Lois) of Birmingham, Robert G. (Margaret) of Altamonte Springs, FL, and T. Alfred, Anniston; great-nephew Paul G. Blanks of Athens, GA; and dear friend and “sister,” Catherine Sullivan of Pelham.
Survivors include: nieces, Jan M. Blanks of Helena and Brenda L. Klunk (Richard) of Altamonte Springs, FL; nephew, George W. Blanks (Karen) of Montgomery; AL; great-nephews, Matthew R. Klunk (Jamie) of Altamonte Springs FL, Matthew C. Blanks, of Athens, GA, and Andy G. Blanks (Brendt) of Hoover; great-niece Beth M. Klunk of Altamonte Springs, precious great-great nieces Sara Frances, Abby, and Caroline Blanks; and precocious great-great nephew, Paul Blanks.
Jo was a descendent of the Edmund Wood family, pioneers of Woodlawn, for whom the area of Birmingham was named and where the Wood Family Cemetery is located.
Jo was a faithful member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover. She was truly a servant of God, with her daily prayer visits to the church and selfless giving to those in need. Jo often said that she required little for herself and that God had blessed her so much that she should help those less fortunate, both family, friends, and strangers alike. She will be remembered for her sweet spirit and faithfulness to God, and she has been welcomed to her heavenly home by her dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Her family is grateful for the love and care Jo received during her illness from her dear friend, Vanessa Frias, and her children, Maria Sol and Marcos, who looked upon her as their grandmother. Vanesa was her round-the-clock caregiver who made sure that Jo received the medical attention she needed. The family is also grateful for the kind doctors and nurses that administered to her needs during her many hospital stays over the past year.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 17 at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 2061 Patton Chapel Road in Hoover, with the Rev. Thomas Kelly officiating. Visitation will be prior to the Mass at 9:00 am. Interment will follow the Mass at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to St. Peters Church or a preferred charity.
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