Obituary

A Celebration of Life

Darnell Blanchard was the second child of Robert Jones and Naomi Buford Jones. She was born on October 30, 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama. Her family moved to Cleveland. Ohio in 1944. She attended Cleveland Public schools and graduated from John Adams High School in 1960. She then went on to attend Kent State University. During her career she was personnel director, Manager of the Military Clothing Sales Store and an Accountant for the AAFES. She retired on October 30, 2002.

She met the love of her life, Edwin Blanchard in June of 1959 and they were married on May 5, 1962. From that union Michael E. Blanchard was born on March 29,1963.

Darnell was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, of 59 years, Edwin Blanchard, and her son Michael (Mary), grandson Sean Michael, and great grandchildren Sean Jaylen, Chloe Darnell, Rylee Renee, and Jaylen Isiah. Siblings Robert Jones Jr. (Carol), Barbara Hughes, Alvin D. Jones, Cris Ann Benford (Albert). Sister-in-laws Melba Blanchard and Sheila Randle. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was baptized and is a current member of Lane Metropolitan C.M.E. church Cleveland, Ohio. She was a talented artist and martial arts expert. She was a proud member of the Retired Enlisted Association Auxiliary, The American Legion Auxiliary and DAV Auxiliary.

The family suggests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM November 10 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Arizona. Burial will follow directly at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Comments:

Darnell was compassionate, determined, and dedicated. She was always willing to help other people. She loved to comfort you with food and drink. Her home was always open. If she was going to be involved in anything, it had to be done right, or not at all. There was no in-between! She loved her family and her life long goal was to make Edwin happy. She truly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. You will always be missed. May God bless your soul and may you rest in peace. Barbara Hughes, sister

My sister Darnell has always been the perfect example for myself and my siblings. She has always been there for me, always. She set the living and value standards for all of us. She always lived a clean, proud and loving life. I am going to miss her so much. God bless her soul. Alvin Jones, brother

My Aunt Darnell was the poster child for feminism. She was always perfectly dressed and with perfect makeup, and never had a hair out of place. It took her hours and hours and hours to get to that point, but she always got there! A lot of people didn’t know this, but Aunt Darnell and I had a mutual love for scary movies. I loved talking to my Aunt about scary movies that we had seen, and sending her a list of new scary movies that she may not have seen yet. I love you Auntie and will miss you. I will keep watching scary movies until we meet again and can watch them together.
Dawn Robinson, Niece