Alonza Blanding Sr.

Alonza Blanding Sr., 49, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at his residence in Columbia. He was born Dec. 16. 1962, in Manning, a son of Clurttie Thames Blanding and the late Rev. Moses Blanding and surrogate son of Grady Burgess.

He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County and was a 1981 graduate of Manning High School. He also attended Sumter Area Technical College.

He was a member of Full Gospel Church in Columbia.

He was employed as manager of Wal-Mart, Columbia.

Survivors are his mother, Clurttie Blanding; surrogate father, Grady Burgess; two sons, Demetris (Terra) Johnson and Alonza Blanding Jr.; five daughters, Ciera L. Blanding, Sylinda Blanding, Barbara Blanding, Clarissa Blanding and Alisea Blanding; very best friend, Barbara Johnson; four brothers, Moses Blanding Jr., Jasper Blanding, Freddy Blanding, Elder Jeremiah Blanding; six sisters, Pastor Lucretia (Leroy) Pugh, Barbara (Johnny) Morant, Evanglist Elizabeth (Jack) Morant, Mildred (Carlo) Goodine, Henrietta Briggs and Sinah (Garry) Richburg; six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, at Hayes F. & LaNelle J. Samuels Sr. Memorial Chapel, 114 N. Church St., Manning.

Burial will follow in the Manning Cemetery, Manning.

Apostle Jeremiah Blanding, Officiating, Rev. Jack Morant, Presiding, Rev. Elizabeth Morant and Pastor Allen D. Williams, assisting.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his mother, 1091 Ally Lane, Manning.