Man will be remembered for optimism, mom says

Mildred Pollard Blanchard said her son, Preston K. Blanchard, was the kind of person everyone liked -- kind, friendly, sincere and always positive.

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Preston Blanchard, the owner and operator of Carter-Blanchard Office Supply Inc. since 1980, died Monday after a two-year battle with cancer.

"It took a lot of courage and strength," his mother said.

Blanchard, 57, was a lifelong resident of Grovetown and graduated from Harlem High School and Georgia Southern University. He served as the editor and publisher of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times from 1973-80.

Blanchard was the youngest of five sons of former Columbia County school Superintendent John Pierce Blanchard.

Mildred Blanchard said he was an animal lover and a former member of Belle Meade Hunt Club and he enjoyed riding the horses that he and his wife, Tonya Carter Blanchard, kept on their Baker Place Road property.

Living next door for more than 20 years, Mildred Blanchard said, she was close to him both emotionally and physically. She said she is thankful for one thing -- the recent Sunday afternoon she spent with her son.

"I got to spend time with him Sunday, not knowing it was his last complete day," she said. "It was a wonderful visit, and I am thankful he was awake and alert. God blessed me. I was really blessed."

Services for Blanchard were held Thursday at Kiokee Baptist Church, where he was a member.

He is survived by his wife; his mother; his children, Jonathan Carter Blanchard and Allison Pollard Blanchard; three brothers, John Pierce Blanchard Jr., Patrick Blanchard and Philip Blanchard; and many nieces and nephews.

Mildred Blanchard said it is her son's kind and friendly spirit that anyone who knew him will remember.

"He was always so positive. Everyone liked him," she said. "He was just a great person."