Carol Ann Blankner

Carol Ann Davis Blankner, age 78, of Maryville, Tennessee, died June 28, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her family. Carol was born July 6, 1942, in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of George Willard Davis, Jr., a chemical engineer, and Florence Elizabeth Davis, an RN. She graduated from Annapolis High School in 1960 and Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in 1964, earning a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, with qualification to teach English. On the advice of friends, Carol went on a blind date with midshipman Leonard Frederick Blankner in 1964. She married Leonard in June of 1966. The new Mrs. Blankner taught elementary school for several years before becoming a full-time homemaker and mother of three daughters. Like her husband, Carol was an earnest Christian and spent several happy years at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama, in the seventies, where she was surrounded by young families like her own. Mrs. Blankner was a girl-scout troop leader and early-childhood-education enthusiast. After a brief stint in Washington State, in 1979, she and Leonard settled in Maryville, Tennessee, where she lived for the rest of her life. On June 18, 2016, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Highland Presbyterian Church.


For many years, in her family circle, Carol was the chief-instigator-of-fun and life-of-the-party. Like her siblings, parents and grand-parents, she played a wicked game of cards. Long before the internet, Carol planned exciting family vacations with just the yellow pages and a rotary-dial phone. Many a happy Christmas, with cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents, happened at her house. As a mother, Carol gave her whole being. No dream of her children was too great for her to fulfill. She was happiest when driving to soccer practice, band camp, or a math competition. In the late eighties and early nineties, she was a frequent sight at Maryville High School in her red Camry wagon, picking up and dropping off her daughters. With her thrift and planning, she got her all daughters through college and planned two smashing weddings. After her children left home, she spent her time visiting with good friends at Highland Presbyterian, caring for her mother, and doting on her grandchildren. As Carol’s health failed after a series of strokes, her family rallied to care for her, nursing her at home for the last seven months. She died surrounded by those she loved, like her mother and grandfather before her.


Carol is preceded in death by her parents George Davis and Florence Davis, her aunt Anna Mae Brodmerkel, her sister Janet Davis, and cousin Sarah Brodmerkel. Carol is survived by her loving husband Leonard Blankner, and her three daughters, their spouses, and children — eldest daughter Sherrod Blankner of El Cerrito, CA, husband Andrew Clason, grandsons William, Peter and Henry Clason; middle daughter Abigail Blankner of Maryville, TN; and youngest daughter Dr. Joanna Blankner of Knoxville, TN, husband Dr. Thomas Lemond, grandson Wyatt Lemond. Carol is also survived by her younger brother Will Davis, of Bellingham, WA; nephew Nick Ericson, wife Tombi Ericson, their daughters Moira and Kiah Ericson; nephew Bo Davis, daughter Trixie Davis; and youngest nephew Abe Davis, wife Lindsay Davis, and sons Ryker and Terek. Additionally, Carol is survived by her Uncle James Brodmerkel, of York, SC, and his wife Brenda Price Brodmerkel; cousin Scott Brodmerkel, wife Jan Brodmerkel and their daughter Anna Brodmerkel and fiance Frank McQuarrie; cousin Janet Brodmerkel, former husband Brian Buchanan, their sons Carter and Nate Buchanan; and cousin Jeff Brodmerkel. Also, Carol is survived by cousin Phyllis Ludeman and long-time family friend Pam Hanke. A celebration of her life will be held July 24, 2021, at 2:00 PM (limited capacity) at Highland Presbyterian Church, with plans to livestream at https://www.facebook.com/carolblanknermemorial.


Friends and family are encouraged to plant flowers or herbs in her honor, play a round of cards, read a book to a child, or make a donation to The GATE (Gateway to Independence) http://www.gatewaytoindependence.org/contact.html#donate.