Dana Blanchard Wilkes

Dana K. Blanchard Wilkes gained her heavenly healing on the morning of October 31st, 2024 after an extended period of declining health. She was Born March 9th, 1957 to Leslie L. and Bessie Pressley Blanchard in Jackson County NC. A graduate of Cullowhee High School, she worked for Contel and GTE phone company for at least 18yrs, and then did radiology transcription for Harris Regional Hospital until her health began to decline 25 years ago.

She was a very kind, caring, sweet-spirited lady who was a friend to all she met. Even throughout her sickness she always had a smile. She had a great love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful prayer warrior. She played the piano at Speedwell Baptist Church for many years and played for the Goldenaires senior traveling choir for a few years. She took great joy in playing music for the Lord.

She has been preceded in death by her grandparents, father and sisters Donna Resha and Regina Blanchard-Lanoue. She is survived by the most loving and dedicated caregiver, Lenn Wilkes, her husband of forty-four years; daughter Kelly Lance (Travis), granddaughter Hayden Masters (Kaleb), grandson Corban Kirkpatrick, great-granddaughter Avery Masters, who was the absolute light of her life, her mother Bessie P. Blanchard and eleven nieces and nephews and their families.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Burial will follow at Hooper-Speedwell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be members of Cullowhee Fire Dept., with her grandson, son-in-law and nephews as honorary pallbearers.

The family would like to send special thanks to the members of Cullowhee Fire Dept, Harris EMS, Harris Home Health, Respiratory Therapists, WCU Electrical Utility Crews, WNC Internal Medicine  and other members of the community that have taken time over the past several years in supporting and caring for Lenn and Dana.