Jack Blanchard

   Elliott Jackson “Jack” Blanchard, 89, of Virginia Beach, VA, died Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Chesapeake Health & Rehabilitation Center.

   Mr. Blanchard was born in Gates County, NC on January 28, 1934 and was the son of the late John Titus and Edith Baker Blanchard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark Randall Blanchard; and by his brother, John Gilbert Blanchard.

   A graduate of Hobbsville High School, Mr. Blanchard later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An avid sports fan who bled Carolina Blue, as he watched games with a wife who attended ECU, and with sons who graduated from UNC-CH, NCSU, and Duke, everyone understood his allegiance was ALWAYS with the Tar Heels.

   Jack had served for two years in the United States Army and after moving to Virginia found employment at Planters Peanuts in Suffolk and later at UNIVAC in Virginia Beach. He had retired after nearly 30 years from Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation as the Director of Data Processing.

   A member of Thalia Lynn Baptist Church since 1967, he had served as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons, on numerous committees in the church, and in recognition of his long and faithful service was named Deacon Emeritus in 2014.

   Surviving is his wife of nearly 65 years, Patsy Pierce Blanchard; their sons, David Randall Blanchard of Raleigh and Paul Randall Blanchard (wife, Allison) of High Point; and three grandchildren, Alex, Molly, and Margaux. Also surviving is their son Mark’s widow, Lynn Blanchard Ferrier (husband, Kevin) and their children, Athena and Sierra, of Virginia Beach; and a special and caring niece, Marinda Crocker of Gatesville, NC.

   Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 12th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Hobbsville Baptist Church Cemetery, 405 Hobbsville Road, Hobbsville, NC, and will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Proctor. He will rest in sight of the home in which he was born, on the grounds of the church in which he and Patsy accepted their Lord as Savior, and where they were married. He is home.

   Friends may visit with the family in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service on Tuesday, or all other times at their residence.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, for use in their Music Ministry, at 4392 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462; or to the Virginia Beach SPCA, 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (online at www.vbspca.com).

   Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.