Irene Panther Blanton, 90, Gastonia, NC, formerly of Shelby, NC, passed away January 26, 2012 at Belaire Health Care Center.  She was born November 30, 1921 in Cherokee County, SC; daughter of the late Charlie Columbus and Fannie Love Panther, wife of the late William P. Blanton.

Irene was a homemaker and an active member of Lafayette Street United Methodist Church until her illness brought her to Gastonia.

She is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws, Theresa (Blanton) and Clark Poole, Rutherfordton, NC; Rebecca (Blanton) and Charles Greene, Gastonia, NC; 3 Grandchildren, Allyson Poole Hutchby, Canton, NC; William Poole and wife, Tanya, Canton, NC; Catherine Greene, Chapel Hill, NC and 1 Great-Grandchild, William Tanner Hutchby, Canton, NC, sister, Dessie Johnson, Dallas, NC; sister-in-law, Marveta Blanton McGinnis, Cherryville, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers Gussie, Archie, McKinnley, JB, Grady and Floyd Panther and sisters Rosa Lillian, Veola Ledford, Edna Black and Oveda Vaughan.

Interment will be held at 11:00am on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Mausoleum of Cleveland Memorial Park, Shelby, NC.  The Rev. Dr. James R. Westmoreland and Dr. Tom Stegald will be officiating.  A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. January 30, 2012, at First United Methodist Church, 190 E. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Blanton Scholarship Fund, c/o Lafayette Street United Methodist Church, 1409 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC  28152.

Thank you to the staff at Belaire Health Care Facility for their care and compassion.