Eugene Bennett Blanton

BLANTON- ABFC Chief Eugene “Gene” Bennett Blanton, ”a true southern gentleman” 72, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Julia Rooks Blanton; daughters, Charlette Stump (Steve) of Jacksonville, and Jessica Lynn Blanton of Atlantic Beach; granddaughters, Victoria Litchfield (Michael), Ashley Stump, and Brittany Stump; great-granddaughter, Arianna Litchfield; brothers, Durbin Blanton Jr. (Laverne), Mack (Jo Ann), and Robert; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Durbin Blanton, Sr.; mother, Lela P. Blanton (Batton); step-father, Harold Batton; sisters, Linda Prince and Dorothy Robinson; and his daughter, Julia Sulynn Blanton.

Gene was born in Duplin County, North Carolina. He served in the United States Navy from 1955-1975, Retired, and Florida Rock and Tank Lines, Operations Supervisor, for 18 years retiring in 1993. Gene enjoyed football and baseball games, traveling, especially cruising to the islands and Hawaii.

A Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 N. St. Johns Bluff. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2010, at the funeral home. Committal services and Military Honors will follow in Chapel Hills Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Messages may be left for the family at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com