Mary "Blanche" Conner Eller

RESCHEDULED

Mary “Blanche” Conner Eller, age 81, of Greenville, SC, transcended peacefully on September 23, 2024, after a struggle with dementia. 

Blanche was born in resher grandmother’s home on February 27, 1943, in Rutherfordton, NC, to Mary “Grace” Curd Conner and the Rev. Roscoe Edward Conner. While she lived for a time in Henderson, NC, she spent most of her childhood and early adult years in Asheville, NC, and always called it home. 

Blanche graduated from Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High) in 1961, going on to work as a teller and later as a secretary to the bank president at Northwestern Bank before her marriage to John Eller, Jr. of Weaverville, NC, in 1965. During her time at Northwestern Bank, Blanche was a member of the Asheville chapter of Beta Omicron Sorority, and she competed in The Miss Asheville Pageant, winning second runner-up. She was also an active member of Faith Tabernacle Church where she loved to sing with her family and friends. 

Soon after her daughter Stephanie and son Jonathan were born, the family left Asheville to live in several different cities throughout the southeast, finally making a permanent home in Greenville, SC. Blanche was a devoted mother and stayed at home with her children throughout their childhoods. When she was able, she returned to her career and opened All that Jazz, a store which combined her passions for styling hair and selling antiques. She loved her work and considered it as much a social outlet as a business. 

Blanche had a huge heart and very open mind. She loved the arts, culture, travel, and archaeology. Most importantly, she cherished her extensive family and life-long friendships. 

Blanche is preceded in death by her husband John. She is survived by her devoted children Stephanie and Jonathan, grandson Connor, siblings Betty Jo Swayngim, Ben Conner, and Brent O’Conner, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

The funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM Saturday, September 28, 2024, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville, NC. The family will receive visitors between 1:15 – 2:15 prior to the service. Burial will follow in Flat Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, 21 Flat Creek Church Road, Weaverville, NC. 

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Eller family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.