Sina (Rice) Blanton

Sina Rice Blanton, 92, of Prestonsburg, passed away Monday, February 15, 2021, in the care of nurses at Riverview Healthcare, in Prestonsburg, KY.

She was born October 7, 1928 to the late Samuel G. Rice and Lucretia Boyd Rice Willis. Sina liked to recall the story that when she was born, she was so small that her family could lay her comfortably on a pillow in a dresser drawer. Her family can attest that the only thing about Sina that got much bigger was the love she had for her family.

Sina married Flem Blanton in February 1954 and was married for 45 years before he passed away in April 1999.

She is preceded in death by her children Warren Blanton and Loretta Blanton Hunt and survived by her daughter, Juanita Blanton McKinney (James ‘Jim’ McKinney), her daughter-in-law, Hollie Hall Blanton (Warren), and her son-in-law, Dale Hunt (Loretta).

Sina is preceded in death by her grandson James ‘Jim’ McKinney II, Louisville, KY, and survived by her grandchildren: Kevin Blanton (Sharma), Georgetown, KY, Katrina Whitt Marquardt (Kurt), South Bend, IN, Jason Whitt, Indianapolis, IN, and Emily Hunt, South Bend, IN.

She is survived by her great-grandchildren: Joshua Blanton, Peyton Madison Blanton (Will), Brooke Marquardt, Sarah Marquardt, and Andrea McKinney (Hugo Sanchez); and her great-great-grandchildren, Destiny Faith Blanton and Karlea Blanton.

Sina is the last of her siblings to say goodbye to this world and is preceded by Willie Rice, Shirley Rice, George Rice, Madge Rice Mauk, Annie Rice, Elmer Rice, Ola Rice, Lucien Rice, and Olga Rice Allen.

Sina is also survived by several nieces and nephews that were very near to her heart.

For years, Sina was a regular attendee at the Paintsville United Baptist Church, in Paintsville, KY, where she brought her liveliness to the church in her baking and cooking, dedication to the scripture, and her circle of friends.

As well as years of taking care of her children and family, Sina worked for the Kroger Co. and retired after 32 years.

Her family is extremely grateful for the care she received over the past four and a half years at Riverview Healthcare in. Her nurses, aides and countless others became an extended family to her.

Sina will be laid to rest on the hillside in the Roscoe Blanton Cemetery in Oil Springs, KY. Affectionately known as Mom and Mamaw; she was so loved and will be deeply missed.

There will be a visitation at noon, followed by a 1 p.m. service at the Hall Funeral Home in Martin, KY. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please wear a mask and practice social-distancing.

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