Cherie Lee Blanton

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- Cherie Ann Lee Blanton, 70, formerly of Charleston, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo., died July 8, 2007, at her home.

Born Nov. 24, 1936, in Cairo, Ill., to the late Cage Viverette and Rachel Elizabeth "Mickey" Richards Lee, she was a 1954 graduate of Charleston High School. She attended Stephens College for two years, graduated from University of Miami with a degree in drama, radio and television and received her teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was an author and had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston.

On Aug. 6, 1959, in Charleston, she married Charles L. Blanton III who preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 1996.

Survivors include: two sons and a daughter-in-law, C. Lee and Pam Blanton IV of Sikeston and Brete Austin Blanton of Ocala; one sister, Betty Williamson of Englewood; one grandson, C.L. Blanton V of Sikeston; and one stepgrandson, Joshua Hunter of Sikeston.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. Friday until time of memorial services at 7 p.m. at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Dr. Joseph C. Blanton will officiate.