Mr. Archie Lanning Blanks, 81, of Columbia, died Friday, September 4, 2015. Born in Columbia on September 24, 1933, he was a son of the late William Boyce Blanks and Lena Deborah Pound Blanks. Following his graduation in 1951 from Columbia High School, Archie served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Afterward, he worked at SCE&G as an electrical technician, and retired after 36 years of service. Archie was a member of the Dutch Fork Masonic Lodge #402, and a longtime active member of Park Street Baptist Church where he served as deacon, enjoyed singing in the choir, and was a member of the Riley Sunday School Class. He enjoyed reading, crosswords, hunting, and especially time spent with family and friends.

Archie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha Jo Williams Blanks; children, Deborah Kelly (Jaime) of Irmo, Lanny Blanks of Portland, OR, Marie Smith (Stan) of North Augusta, and Boyce Blanks, II (Jean) of Columbia; grandchildren, Jena Kelly, Dana Kelly Davis (Bruce), Travis Smith (Erica), Katie McCaskill (Mason), Andrew and Allie Smith, and Emma, Will, Simon and Leo Blanks; and great-grandchildren, Austin and Jackson Smith, and Noah Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, William Floyd Blanks, Boyce Lee Blanks and Cecil Everett Blanks; and sister, Dorothy Louise Pace.

A funeral service for Archie will be held 11 o'clock, Tuesday, September 8th, at Park Street Baptist Church, with The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service, beginning at 10 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Park Street Baptist Church, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201.