Dr. Priscilla White Blanton

BLANTON, DR. Priscilla White - died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, peacefully and surrounded by loved ones in Knoxville, TN. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 13, 1947, to her parents the Rev. Dr. Douglas and Mrs. Nell Chandler White, the third born of four children. She grew up in Basset, VA.

She graduated from Carson Newman College with a B.S. in Elementary Education Cum Laude in 1969, M.S. in Counseling from the University of Tennessee in 1970 and a Doctorate of Education from The University of Tennessee in 1972.

During her 44.5 years of tenure as a Professor of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science at the University of Tennessee, Priscilla taught thousands of students, advised hundreds of graduate students, and published numerous research articles. Her legacy, connection, mentorship, and collaboration lives on in the work and lives of her previous students who were forever impacted by her guidance, wisdom and kindness.

Priscilla was an avid reader, a devoted Jeopardy watcher, a supporter of the Knoxville Symphony, and a loyal Vols fan. She belonged to the Ladies of Learning Women's Club and the Fancy Finesses Bridge Club and loved a good game of Trivial Pursuit. Her laugh was infectious. She took pride in creating a warm, welcoming home and made sure no one ever left hungry. She was especially known for her white chicken chili, ham and twice baked potatoes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Paul White and husband H.D. (Stretch) Blanton. She is survived by her two children, her son Ben Blanton and wife Michelle and her daughter Nellie Blanton. The best of her will live forever in their hearts.

She is also survived by her partner of the last four years, Steve Wilson. Her sisters Esther White Rohr and Mary White Balch and husband Calvin Balch of Knoxville; sister-in-law, Linda White of Salem, VA. Her nieces Kendall Keller, husband Mike Keller and son Matthew Keller and Heather Jones and her husband Roy Jones of Knoxville, TN. She had a special bond with Heather and Kendall.

There will be a celebration of life on Sunday February 15th at the Press Room, at 2:00PM with The Rev. Nicole Hill Krewson presiding. Please wear blue, her favorite color, in loving remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wesley House Community Center https://www.wesleyhouseknox.org/ or Friends of the Knox County Library https://www.knoxfriends.org/