BLANTON (Berry), Catherine Age 89, passed away peacefully in her home on November 11, 2014. Born on November 30, 1924 in Augusta to Daniel and Miriam Berry, she moved to College Park as a child and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Richardson High school and attended the University of Georgia where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta. She worked briefly for Delta Air Lines but spent most of her energy providing a loving and inviting home for her husband and daughters. "CC" was full of life and love and energy. She threw herself completely into every task from creating her famous shish-ka-bobs to presenting well researched Bible lessons, as humorous as they were inspiring. Her book shelves were filled with concordances and reference books, and she could hold her own playing Bible Trivia with many a preacher. Every day with her was a party. She loved her family and her friends. She loved the College Park Presbyterian Church, especially its choir in which she sang all of her adult life. She loved cooking and hosting events. Until the age of 89, she continued to entertain dozens of family and friends every Christmas Eve. She and husband Dick gave an annual neighborhood Christmas party. For 30 years, to commemorate the first homegrown tomato, she hosted the lively Tomato Festival, including costumes and a parade through the neighborhood streets. Everyone was welcomed into her home. Once she invited her grandson's entire high school basketball team to lunch. And no Christmas Eve gathering was complete without an extra fraternity brother, an exchange student, or someone far away from their own family. Her favorite place to sit and visit, read, or talk to friends by phone was in her swing on the screened porch. Year after year, she remembered every grandchild, niece and nephew, friend and relative with a card on their birthday. She loved animals, Navarre Beach, her red rocking chair, her homegrown tomatoes, good music, good food, and playing bridge. She loved to laugh, and she found humor in almost every situation. But most of all she loved Richard C. Blanton, her husband of 68 years, whom she met when they were both in high school. She treasured her friends, and her daughters and grandchildren were the lights of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and brother, Dan Berry of Nashville, TN. Survivors include her daughters and their families: Susan and Randy Riner, Cindy and David Weeks; grandchildren, Jason and Lindsey Riner, Michael Riner, Richard Riner, Emily Weeks, Nick Weeks; sister Barbara Shaw; brother Warren and Nancy Berry; sister-in-law, Dean Blanton; Jimmy Shaw, and a host of family, friends, companions, and pets who will miss her deeply. The family is especially grateful to Blanca and Donna who provided love and comfort in the last months of her life. A celebration of her life was be held on Saturday, November 15th at H. M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 with the family receiving visitors. Interment followed at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .

Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Nov. 13, 2014