Obituary of Iris Blanchette

Iris Smith Blanchette Mrs. Blanchette, 85, of Charlotte, NC, died Friday, October 26, 2012, at Carrington Place. Being a true Charlottean, Iris was born in Charlotte on November 29, 1926 and was the youngest child of the late Marvin Lloyd Smith, Sr. and Blanche Sheffield Smith. Iris graduated from Berryhill High School in 1944 and attended Pheiffer University. She worked for the American Trust Company and retired from Bank of America in 1976. In addition to her parents, Iris was preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Charles Anderson Blanchette; sisters, Daisy Shaffner, Violet Fort, Virginia Davis and her brother, Marvin Lloyd Smith, Jr. Survivors include her daughter, Iris Miranda Blanchette Rhodes and husband, C. Douglas Rhodes of Charlotte, NC; grandson, Jonathan Douglas Rhodes and wife, Daniela Balan Rhodes of Chesapeake, VA; granddaughter, Caitlin Gail Elizabeth Rhodes of Charlotte, NC; sister, Myrtice Niven of Charlotte, NC and sister-in-law, Isabell Blanchette Miller of Concord, NC and many nieces and nephews. She would have lovingly welcomed her first great grandchild in March of 2013. Iris enjoyed reading, meeting people and traveling to Topsail Beach, NC. Most of all she loved her family especially her grandchildren. Animals were special to her, cats being her favorite. During her life, many strays found a loving home with her. Mrs. Blanchette was a member of South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Star Mezpah #36. She was a former member of Purcell United Methodist Church where she taught the kindergarten class in Sunday school for many years. The family would like to thank the staff of Carrington Place in Matthews, NC, especially the staff on hall 200 for their wonderful care, love and support. A service to celebrate her special life will be held 3:00 PM, Saturday, November 3, 2012, at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the church. Following the service interment will be in Forest West Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association Western Carolina 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220 or the Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203.