Ellen Avery Blanchard

Ellen Avery Blanchard, born September 7, 1938, went to live with her Lord and Savior on June 30, 2025. While we will mourn her passing, she made the world a better place by being in it. Ellen is now reunited with her husband of nearly 61 years, Jimmy Blanchard, as well as her parents, Alton and Ruth Avery. She is also preceded in death by her older sister, Carolyn Norris; her eldest nephew, Johnny Hawley; and two sisters-in-law, Sharon Ausley and Muriel Layman.

There was never a doubt how deeply Ellen loved her family. She left behind her son, Ricky Wade and wife Sandy from Erwin, as well as her daughter, Cindy Blanchard Brewbaker and husband Brent, who she lived with for the past several years at Lake Tillery, North Carolina. She has one grandchild, Kevin Wade (Alicia and Lana Gellerman). Ellen has one remaining nephew, Ken Hawley (Carol Purvis). Ken, originally from Erwin, gave her two grand-nephews, Houston (Lindsay) and Evan (Katie); one great-grand-nephew, Houston Cade; and a great-grand-niece, who is expected in a couple of weeks. Ellen has two remaining sisters-in-law, Jeanette (Shane) Raybon and Margaret (Steve) Jamison, a brother-in-law, Joe Ausley, as well as two very special caregivers, Emily Blevins and Donna Smith.

Ellen is also survived by literally thousands of students she served as she worked in the school cafeteria at Gentry Elementary and Erwin Middle and High School. She remembered virtually every student, their lunch number, and any dietary preferences. Ellen watched these kids grow up, and she loved every single one of them.

Ellen was the epitome of a Christian woman; she was very active in the Erwin Church of God for over 50 years before moving away to live with Cindy and Brent. While the last several years of her life were filled with oxygen tanks and walkers, it did not stop Ellen from enjoying life. She made sure to never miss her weekly hair and nail appointments. She still wanted to sit out in the sun by the pool, walk around Dollar General and make thousands (approaching millions) of sausage balls —even if Emily had to help her. Emily, along with the unwavering support from hospice/Tillery Compassionate Care, allowed her to remain at home until her passing.

A celebration of Ellen’s life will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Dunn Funeral Home located at 904 Lucas Street in Erwin, North Carolina, with visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. A brief service will follow at 7 pm in the Dunn Funeral Home Chapel.

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