Joseph Kennon Blanton Jr.

Joseph Kennon “Joey” Blanton Jr. of Monroe, NC, 81, entered into his heavenly home June 26, 2024.

Joey was born to the late Kennon and Christine Blanton, a furniture salesman and a homemaker respectively, in Shelby, NC on October 30, 1942.

He graduated from the University of Chapel Hill in 1965 with a degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1968.

Joey was an educator at heart. He was kind and soft-spoken and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. His career in education spanned over 30 years, beginning in King George, Virginia as a teacher and continuing in Union County, NC at Monroe Middle and Benton Heights Elementary as a principal, where he received the honor of Principal of the Year.

Joey was blessed with a large and loving family. He married the love of his life and his best friend, Alva Dean Caul Blanton, on November 28, 1968. He helped raise two children with patience, discipline, and humility. He taught them to study God’s Word, pray faithfully, trust God in all situations and make family a priority.

Joey is survived by his loving wife, Dean Blanton, son Andrew Kennon Blanton and wife Julie Blanton, daughter Miranda Thomas and husband Derek Thomas. Grandchildren Andrew Blanton and wife Shelly Blanton, Alex Blanton, Kinsey Thomas, Lainey Thomas and a great-grandson Braxton Blanton. Joey is also survived by his sister, Delores Murphey of Clinton, NC; sister-in-law Paula Pruett and husband David Pruett, along with nieces and nephews.

A service to Celebrate the Life of Mr. Joey Blanton will begin at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in the Chapel of Gordon Funeral Service, with burial to follow in Lakeland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 PM until 12:45 PM at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe NC 28112.

Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Indian Trail, C/O Missions, PO Box 2550 Indian Trail, NC 28079.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral & Crematory Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care