Mable Carol Blanding Grate transitioned into Eternal Rest in The Lord on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter. This earthly journey began in the town of St. George, in Dorchester County on Saturday, December 8, 1946, Mable was born to the late Silas William “Bubba” and Carrie Hodges Blanding. Mable was educated in the Sumter County Public School System and graduated from Lincoln High School Class of 1964. Mable matriculated to Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Mable continued her education earning a Masters degree in Testing & Measurements from the University of South Carolina. With degrees in hand, Mable began her 30-year career as an Educator in the Sumter County Public School System. Mable retired from Sumter High School. A woman of Faith, Mable accepted the Lord at an early age as a member of the First Baptist Missionary Church in Sumter, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. W.S. Randolph. However, after many years, Mable transferred her membership to the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter. Mable was an active and faithful member of her Sunday School Class, Sunday School Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, Young Women’s Association and Christian Singles Ministry. Mable was previously joined in Holy Matrimony to Willie Edward Grate. To this union was born one daughter, Jeemy Grate Pearson. Mable was truly fortunate to be on the receiving end of the purest form of “Servant Heart Selfless Love” in the person of her daughter Jeemy Grate-Pearson. As Mable’s health declined Jeemy supported her mother to ensure that Mable was able to maintain her independent life style. Mable was determined to live life her way, hence her affectionate nickname, “Francine Sinatra”! Jeemy also guaranteed, with the help of family and friends, that Mable received the absolute best Healthcare and Home Care support available. Mable treasured all the love and attention she received from her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mable was predeceased by her parents, grandparents and her former father and mother-in-love, Isaac and Letha Grate. Mable is survived by her daughter, Jeemy (Gregory Singleton) Grate-Pearson; grandsons, Illya T. (Delilah) Shuler, Clayton Grate and great grandsons, Aubren Shuler & Aiven Shuler; three aunts, Jesse Mae Blanding, Ida Blanding Taylor, and Lillie Mae Blanding Dingle; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, brothers and sisters- in-love and friends. In accordance with COVID 19 guidelines, the family is requesting face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 1130 Kentwood Drive, Sumter. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – 11:00 a. m. at Hillside Memorial Park, 2561 Cain’s Mill Road, Sumter, with the Rev. George Windley Jr., pastor of First Baptist Missionary Church, officiating. The procession will leave the home at 10:20 a. m.
Condolence Messages
Leave Your Condolence
Please feel free to sign the Guest Register and forward your condolences to friends and family members who have suffered a loss. Please enter your words of remembrance in the space provided. You may select whether you wish for us to deliver them to the family, display them online or both. Please note that Williams Funeral Home, Inc. will review all messages before they are published on the world-wide web or forwarded to family members. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Thank-you.