Mamie Lee P. Blanding

Mamie Lee Pearson Blanding, 80, widow of James Edward Blanding Sr. and Ike Sweat, died Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

She was born Sept. 10, 1930, in the White Oak section of Summerton, a daughter of the late Cicero Sr. and Essie Waiters Pearson. She received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County. In her youth, she attended White Oak AME Church and later she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Hickory Grove Baptist Church.

Surviviors are one daughter, Linda B. Parker of the home; two sons, James E. (Dorothy) Blanding Jr. of Manning and John E. (Susan) Blanding of Columbia; four stepsons, James (Govan) Sweat, Larry Sweat, Johnny Sweat and Ronnie Sweat; eight stepdaughters, Lillie Ann Sweat, Maxine (Hector) Bush, Vera Mae (William) Sweat, Lillie Mae Sweat, Judy Sweat, Marie Sweat, Carolyn (Larry) Dennis and Rhunette (Randolph) Sweat; four brothers, Abby (Genelle) Pearson Jr. of Sumter, Robert (Hester) Pearson of Manning, Joseph (Dora) Pearson of Miami, Fla., and Aiken Pearson of Delray, Fla.; two sisters, Mary Pearson and Willie Mae Gibbs, both of Manning; 20 grandchildren; and 24 step-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Manning, with the Rev. Luecretia Pugh, pastor, presiding, Evangelist Elizabeth B. Morant, eulogist, assisting the Rev. Carnell Witherspoon, the Rev. Dr. Cokley Richburg and the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Richburg.

Burial was in Carolina-Johnson Cemetery.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.