I was made aware of St. Luke’s Church when I met Joe Blanton, my husband to be. The St. Luke’s family was holding services in the auditorium of Lamar Senior High School. On one of our dates, I accompanied Joe to Lamar High School where St. Luke’s was having a church conference and Joe was scheduled to attend. I met many new members of St. Luke’s who invited me to join. I attended Sunday services and later joined the St. Luke’s choir as a gift surprise to Joe’s parents.

Some months later I joined St. Luke’s and Joe and I were married in St. Paul’s Methodist Church since St. Luke’s did not yet have a church sanctuary. From that date, February 7, 1948, Joe and I together chose the beautiful relationship with the St. Luke’s family until his death in 2006.

During the years from 1948 on, Joe organized the St. Luke’s Boy Scout troop and worked with the Methodist Men’s Bible Class until his death in 2006.

Joe and I were florists who assisted numerous brides at their weddings held in St. Luke’s sanctuary. We shared the tears of joy displayed by “Mother of the Bride” and Father. We were invited to taste the delicious Bride and Groom cakes and dance to the beautiful music at the reception. All of these special moments were etched in our minds as we felt blessed to be a part of the St. Luke’s family.

I worked with teaching 3rd grade Sunday School and worked with several adult classes as class secretary and class president of two Women’s Bible classes. I served as president of the Women’s Circle and president of the Church Circle. I served as president of the Susanna Wesley Bible Class until its closure.

During these years it has been my sincerest joy to have known all the Ministers of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. I have had closer opportunities to know some because of life’s circumstances. Dr. Durwood Fleming married Joe and me, some 72 years ago. He baptized our children.
Dr. Kenneth Shamblin officiated at my Father’s funeral. Under the leadership of Dr. Walter Underwood, my Mother was buried. Dr. James W. Moore administered care to Joe and me in the loss of our younger son. Dr. Thomas J. Pace III presided at Joe’s funeral.

The past 75 years have been filled with love and encouragement from the St. Luke’s ministers and the membership at St. Luke’s. Our participation in Church activities has not only fulfilled our life in society but has given us the courage to forge ahead to strive to be beneficial to our community, our friends and our country.

I offer blessings to the next 75 years for successes greater than today.

Ruth Edwards Blanton
March 8, 2020