Obituaries | Week of July 13, 2026
JOE LEE BLANKS
Memorial services for Mr. Joe Lee Blanks of LaFayette were held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Abanda Methodist Church with Brother Danny McGouirk officiating.
Mr. Blanks passed away on Tuesday, July 7, at his residence.
Survivors include: his wife, Emma Blanks of LaFayette; one daughter, Jerri Ison (Jerome) of LaFayette; two granddaughters, LeAnna Gillenwaters (Joey) of LaFayette and Lindsey Ison of Wetumpka; two great-grandchildren, Joseph and Jordan Gillenwaters of LaFayette; one sister, Joyce Ballard of Abanda; and many nieces and nephews.
An Abanda native, Mr. Blanks was born on Aug. 30, 1944, in LaFayette. He was an active member of Abanda Methodist Church, and he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Mr. Blanks was self-employed in the logging industry all of his life. After retiring, he enjoyed serving as a Chambers County commissioner. Earlier in life, he drove a race car at many of the dirt tracks in the surrounding area. He loved watching Nascar and playing cards and dominoes with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Blanks and Mary Emma Blanks.
Donations in his memory may be made to Abanda Methodist Church or Mt. Zion Baptist Church Children’s fund.
Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette assisted the family with arrangements.
PAT ROBINSON
Funeral services for Pat Robinson, age 82, of Roanoke, were held on Saturday, July 11, at Roanoke First Methodist Church with the Rev. Matthew Colburn officiating. Interment was at Randolph Memory Gardens with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Robinson passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at her residence.
Survivors include two daughters, Fran Robinson McMurray (Thomas) of Roanoke and Elizabeth Robinson Langley (Chris) of Chambers County; and two sons, George W. Robinson II of Five Points and James Lewis “Jimbo” Robinson III (Lynn), also of Five Points. She was a beloved Nana to her 10 grandchildren, Mallory Elizabeth McMurray Stewart, Claire Cumbee Robinson, James Thomas McMurray, Christopher Langley Jr., James Lewis Robinson IV “Beau,” Charles Lewis Langley “Charlie,” Chandler George Langley, Hunter George Robinson, Addie May Robinson and Chelsea Elizabeth Langley Walton; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Robinson is also survived by two sisters, Linda Adamson (Randy) of Roanoke and Carla Langley (Billy) of LaFayette; one brother, Don Vinson of Alex City; and sister-in-law Sandra Vinson of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were her six grandsons, James McMurray, Christopher Langley Jr., Beau Robinson, Charlie Langley, Chandler Langley and Hunter Robinson. Additional pallbearers were Todd Vinson and Josh Walton.
Honorary pallbearers were members of Delta Kappa Gamma.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Robinson was born on Aug. 17, 1943, the daughter of Charles Henry Vinson and Billie Clyde Dobson Vinson. She was a member of Roanoke First Methodist Church and had been employed by Roanoke City Schools as a teacher. She also had served as state president for Delta Kappa Gamma. She had been a member of Silhouette club, Literary club and loved playing bridge.
Mrs. Robinson was preceded in death by her husband, James Lewis Robinson II; her parents; and two brothers, Bill Vinson and Charles Dobson Vinson.
Donations can be made to:
Roanoke First Methodist Church 806 Main St.
Roanoke, AL 36274.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.quattlebaumfuneralhome.com.
