Obituaries

Joan Henry Blanks

November 19, 1943 - December 29, 2024

Joan Henry Blanks was born on November 19, 1943, in Hopewell, Virginia, to Bill and Nan Henry, who preceded her in death. Joan died with her family by her side in the early morning hours on December 29, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida.  She is survived by Kenneth Blanks, her husband of 57 years; Laurie Blanks, her daughter, of Lakeland; Kevin Blanks, her son, and Melony, his wife, of Lakeland; and Lydia King, her daughter, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Scott, her husband.  She is also survived by Tom Henry, her brother, of Townville, South Carolina, and June Mills, her identical twin, of St. Marys, Georgia; and nieces and nephews.

Joan moved to Lakeland, FL in the summer of 1972, where she lived in the same house until her death.  Joan was named Teacher of the Year in 1988 at Bartow High School, where she taught biology and Dropout Prevention for many years before her retirement in August 2006.  She enjoyed traveling whenever she had the opportunity, which took her to countries on five different continents.  Joan was a member of the Scott Lake Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Joan would hold many title in her life:  loving wife, mother, sister, and friend to so many.  For those whose lives she touched, she will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1105 W. Dossey Road, Lakeland, FL  33811.