Mother Blanche Sumpter

Our Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother - Blanche Sumpter - was born on August 22, 1922, on St. Helena Island - a sea island off of the coast of Beaufort SC, and transitioned from this earth on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at the felicitous age of 102 years old. A precocious and only child, Blanche attended the Penn Normal and Agricultural School, one of the first schools in the nation opened for newly freed people and is now a National Historic Landmark. Although the Penn School went to the 8th grade (normal for that time), Blanche was only able to complete the 6th grade. She attended school at a time when parents had to pay for their children to attend school and this was what her family could afford. Education was extremely important to Blanche and she instilled the importance of being educated in her children and family. Although only having attained a sixth grade education, she insisted that her children, grands and great grands “speak the language as it was meant to be spoken.” She had no tolerance for poor grammar or mumbling. She understood that a good presentation of oneself mattered. Upon leaving school, Blanche worked at various jobs - the shrimp factory, Parris Island Marine Base laundry, domestic work and fieldwork - picking tomatoes and other vegetables. Determined to seek a better life for herself and her children, Blanche along with her mother, Grace Sumpter, initially moved to Cornwell, CT as she had discovered that many black teachers would go there to supplement their income by performing domestic work during the summers. In the mid 1950’s Blanche and her mother eventually moved to Stamford, CT where she continued to reside until her death. Relatives cared for her children in St Helena until such time as she was able to secure housing in Stamford and bring her children to Stamford as well. Blanche was pivotal in helping others migrate from St. Helena to Connecticut. She eventually left domestic work and secured employment as a relocation worker with the Urban Renewal Organization of Stamford. Blanche attained subsequent employment with the Stamford Health Department, the Stamford Urban League as an outreach worker and finally, as a circulation clerk with the Ferguson Library, a position she held until her retirement. Never one to be idle, Blanche had a stellar record of community service. She served as the secretary of the Board of Stamford Neighborhood Services colling committees for AARP of North Stamford and for FISH, Inc (I Feel I Should Help). Blanche was appointed by the mayor in 1997 to complete the term of Commissioner for the Commission on Aging Board in Stamford. She was reappointed to serve a full term from 1998- 2000. A dedicated volunteer to a number of causes, Blanche served for many years on the Stamford Branch of the NAACP, the Friendship House Tenants Association, the now defunct Douglas-Tubman Democratic club and the Women's Democratic Club of Stamford, where she was asked to run for city council, but due to family obligations, she declined. Blanche gave over twenty-five hundred hours of volunteer service at the Stamford Hospital and served at the Covenant House of Hospitality’s Soup Kitchen and the Community of St. Luke's Homeless Shelter. Her extensive community service was honored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, the Yerwood Center, Stamford Hospital, Council of Churches and Synagogues, The NAACP, via a citation from the Connecticut's Governor Dannel Malloy and she received a Proclamation from Stamford’s Mayor Michael A. Pavia. Blanche was a very active and dedicated member of Union Baptist Church for over 60 years. Earning the esteemed title of Mother of the Church, Blanche served on several church ministries where she often held leadership positions. They included: The Sanctuary and Women's Choirs, Church School, the Finance Committee, Greeters Ministry, South Carolina Ministry, Senior Ushers Ministry, Nurse’s Ministry, The Dorcas Home and Foreign Ministry Missionary Ministry and Board Member of the Union Social Services Corporation. Blanche loved to dance and had a fabulous sense of style, a pleated shirtwaist dress was her signature look back in the day, and she frequently patronized local consignment shops to create her million dollar looks and those of her children. She truly enjoyed family gatherings and her love of family instilled a strong, enduring bond within her family that is immutable. Often formidable, but always caring, Blanche was known to have frequent phone calls with her children, grand and great-grandchildren to encourage and lift them. Blanche insisted on cultivating internal fortitude along with speaking and standing up for oneself. Blanche loved to travel and to read and was a member of two book clubs. Blanche was predeceased by her mother, Grace Sumpter (CT), her father Harry S. Legare (SC), her daughter in law Marie Sumpter (CA), her son in law George W. Washington (NJ), her grandson Gregory Sumpter (MD), and her daughter and eldest child Reverend Girdie B. Washington (NJ). She leaves to remember her with joy - Her son George C. Sumpter (CA), her son Nathan Sumpter, Sr and his wife Linda Sumpter (CT), her daughter Ethel L. Sumpter (SC), her daughter Carolyn C. Frank and her husband Kenneth L. Frank (PA), her daughter Joan M. Sumpter (CT), her grandchildren - Kelly JW and Kirby King (NJ), Audrey D. Washington (NY), Seth E. Washington (MD), Renee V. Sumpter (SC), Heather M. and Marcus Blakemore (TN), Nathan Sumpter, Jr., and partner Jill Schlacta (CT), Carlendra A. Frank (MD), Damion J. Sumpter, (NC), Aaron Sumpter (CT), Kendra K. Frank (CA), and Kenice J. Frank (PA), Elijah Washington (NC), her great-grandchildren - Nolan B. King (MD), Zalen D. King (CA), Blake JM Blakemore (GA), Clarke MD Blakemore (TN), Xavier Sumpter (MD), Braylon Bigelow (NC), Madison Sumpter (MD), Skyla Washington (NC), Nazareth Washington (NC), Matthew W. Sumpter (CT), Rose V. Washington (NC) and Eissa K. Frank (MD), her god-son Richard Jackson, cousins, friends and church and community members. We Love you Mother, Sister, Grandma, Nanë, Blanche and you will be dearly missed. May your spirit ever rest in joy, love and peace Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10:00AM – 11:00AM followed by a service of celebration at 11:00AM at Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT. Officiating Rev. Dr. Andre Bradley. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, CT.

Tributes

Mother Blanche Sumpter

August 22, 1922 - September 22, 2024