Minnie B. Blanks' Obituary
Minnie B. Blanks was born on December 8, 1935, in Lauderdale, Mississippi to Nancy and Jenie Mosely. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her residence. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Chattanooga State Technical Community College where she received her R.N. degree. She retired as a registered nurse from Erlanger Hospital after 35 years of service. She was also employed by Childcare Network Center.
She met the love of her life, Walter Reen Blanks after high school. Two sons were born to this union, Walter Blanks, Jr., and James Wesley “Rickey” Blanks who lovingly called her “Madea.” They were married 40 years until he passed in 1993. She enjoyed gardening, shopping, and watching Lifetime. She loved the outdoors, traveling, cooking, and making jewelry. Sewing was a hobby where she made dresses with pocketbooks to match. Her favorite past time was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately called her “Grand-Madea.”
She was a faithful member of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church for many years. She served on the Someone to Care Ministry, the Nurses’ Guild, Pastor’s Aide Society, worked in the Arts and Crafts with Vacation Bible School, taught and attended Sunday School and Wednesday Night Bible Study.
Minnie was the matriarch of her family and the sole survivor of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her father, Jenie Mosley; mother, Nancy Mosely Jernigan; husband, Walter Reen Blanks, Sr.; son, Walter Blanks, Jr.; brothers, Will D. Mosley, Quillie Mosley, and Johnny Lee Mosley; sisters, Catherine Mosley Thomas and Atlay Strickland. Survivors include her son, James Wesley “Rickey” (Gaddie) Blanks, of Ringgold, GA; grandchildren, James “Tory” Blanks and Shamil Blanks, both of Chattanooga, Tyler Shay, of Minnesota, Tatyana Blanks, of Ringgold, GA and TaMeka Harris, of Marietta, GA; great-grandchildren, Tori, Archer, Major, and Legend; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Minnie will lie-in-state on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Samuel Jackson as the eulogist. Burial will be Monday, May 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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