Gregory Marshall Blanton

Gregory Marshall Blanton, 59, born April 2, 1965 in Roanoke Rapids, NC passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 19, 2024 surrounded by his family in his Pine Level, NC home.
Greg was a 1983 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, had a lifelong passion of architectural design with several projects to his credit and he enjoyed vegetable gardening since an early age. Greg loved
dirt oval track racing and was involved in many capacities within the sport for much of his life. Late models and stock cars were his favorite divisions. While all of those hobbies were rewarding in their own ways, his most valued and loved passion in life was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and spreading the word of Jesus' Salvation with others, especially through his support of
Christian Missions.
Family members preceding him in death were his parents, Reverend Carson Blanton and Elsie Blanton Harrington of Roanoke Rapids, NC; his step- father, Willie Harrington; his brother, Carson Blanton, Jr. and wife, Sue Blanton of Cary, NC; his sister, Lorena Turner Wilson and her husband, Louis Turner and her second husband, Curtis Wilson, all of Roanoke Rapids; and his sister, Virginia Hagler of Upper Marlboro, MD.
Left cherishing Greg's memory is his loving wife of 16 years, Luz Maria Blanton of the home in Pine Level, NC. Greg's Maria was the love of his life, his best friend, his soul mate and his loving caretaker to the very end. Also left to cherish his memory is his step-daughter, Jackeline Anaya of the home, who he raised lovingly as his own child from age 3 and Greg was extremely proud of her. Greg's greatest gift in life is his much adored, loved daughter and mother, Tiffany Blanton Langley and her husband, Josh Langley of Roanoke Rapids, NC; his stepson, Victor Anaya and his wife, Jessie Anaya of Newport News, VA; his dear sister, Marsha Brown and her caring husband, Douglas Brown of Roanoke Rapids, NC; his loved brother, Pat Blanton of Roanoke Rapids, NC; his loved brother, Timmy Smith and his wife, Diana Smith of Fort Mill, SC; his caring brother- in-law, Gene Hagler of Upper Marlboro, MD.
Greg loved his five grandchildren very much as they were a joy and heart-warming to him; Harper Langley, Seth Langley, Lilly Anaya, Delilah Anaya and Victor Anaya, Jr. Greg has many loving nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws that he loved greatly
also left to cherish his memory.
Greg expressed a sincere thank you and love to his closest friends, his nephew, Jason Brown and cherished childhood friends, David Griffies and Darel Mitchell. A special thank you to Pastor Stuart Coffman and the Grace Baptist Church family for their many prayers and visits to the home. A heartfelt thank you to Bill and Betty Clarke, Pat and Kim Priest, Wayne and Wanda Pilkington and Roger and Cindy Smith for all their kindness.
Greg often mentioned and admired his mentors, all were pivotal in his life after the passing of his father while growing up in Roanoke Rapids, the late Henry Pulley, the late Bill Hux and the late Earl Griffies.
Askew Funeral Services of Roanoke Rapids is handling arrangements with viewing and family visitation at the funeral home on Friday, from 10:00 am until service time. The funeral will be held in the chapel on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00 am with interment following at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids. Pastor Stuart Coffman of Grace Baptist Church, Princeton, NC will officiate the funeral service and conduct graveside rights following. Family and friends will meet for fellowship afterwards at the home of the Langley's in Roanoke Rapids, NC at 109 Frog Level Drive.
A special thank you to Greg's work family at Eastern Carolina Medical Center upon his early retirement; also to Dr. P.K. Vyas, ECMC owner and Dr Ritesh Patel, ECMC Pharmacy owner. A special thank you to Greg's medical team at the Duke ALS Center for his treatment and care, ALS Center Director, Dr Richard Bedlack, PhD, Dr Xiaoyan Li, PhD, Dr Wissam Mansour, Pulmonary Specialist and Stacey Asnani, ALS Patient Advocate.