Nancy Ellen Blanks' Obituary
Nancy Ellen Blanks, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2022. Nancy—Mama to her five grandchildren—was born in Dallas on July 18, 1942, to Frances Ellen and Samuel David Peeler, Sr. She was a graduate of Sunset High School and attended Abilene Christian College. Yet her story began well before that.
Nancy and her family grew up in Oak Cliff, where she was baptized at Edgefield Church of Christ. As a young girl, her brother David’s best friend and classmate was a young boy named Thomas Leron Blanks. After meeting at the age of 7, Nancy and Leron were inseparable, marrying on June 15, 1962. In early 1964 they were blessed with the arrival of Lisa, and they were blessed again in 1966 with the arrival of Jeff, completing their perfect family of four.
They both became active members at Prestoncrest Church of Christ after they moved their young family from Oak Cliff to north Dallas in 1972. Nancy’s wisdom, support, and counsel helped Leron rise to the top of the printing industry in Dallas. She was known as a beautiful and gracious hostess, showing hospitality to all ages. But Nancy’s lifelong focus was always on family, whom she fiercely protected and defended, no matter the circumstances. She was an example to all with her faithful service and dedication to her parents as they grew older.
The last years of her life were undeniably difficult. She stood beside and cared for Leron through two battles with lymphoma. Then, after Leron passed away, she fought her own battle with Lewy body dementia. Even still, Nancy loved and was so proud of her family, who in turn rallied around and supported her until the end.
Nancy was preceded in death by Leron, her beloved husband of 58 years. She is survived by their two children: Lisa Sue Pipkin and husband Mike of University Park, and Jeff Blanks and wife Crystal of Plano. Also surviving her are five grandchildren—Hunter Blanks, Michael Pipkin and wife Morgan, Mary Ellen Sorrell and husband Ben, Todd Blanks, and Molly Blanks—and a great-grandson, Thomas Samuel Sorrell, whom she adored. She is also survived by her brother Samuel David Peeler, Jr. and wife Jeanne, her sister Kathy Juliano and husband Rick, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Nancy’s full-time caregivers since she returned to her home in April 2021, after living with Lisa and Mike for nine months following Leron’s death. There simply are not enough words to describe the tireless love and care shown to Nancy by Shawana Brown, Delores Williams, and Corneisha Brown, through the ups and downs of Lewy body dementia, and even on the darkest of days. They were angels sent from heaven for which we will forever be thankful. The family also thanks the hospice nurses, especially Amanda Powell, from Visiting Nurse Association for their care during Nancy’s final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, in Dallas, preceded by a time of visitation at 10:00 am, and followed by a brief graveside service. Rather than flowers, the family requests that you consider contributing in Nancy’s memory to the Leron Blanks Memorial Children’s Ministry Renovation Fund at Prestoncrest Church of Christ.
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?
