Blanche Marie Shamberger Gilchrist was born on March 20, 1926, to Rufus Alfred Talmage Absalom Shamberger and Emily Brower Shamberger in Sheffield Township, in North Carolina, located in Moore County.

She departed peacefully and transitioned from this earthly life in the early morning of February 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She lived a long and meaningful life, one rooted in family, faith, and quiet strength. She was preceded in death by her parents: Rufus and Emily Shamberger, husband Jake, and her siblings: Edrey, George, Carrie, Doctor, Mary, Johnny, Betsy, Eller, Rhonda, and Emma (Hassie).

She was educated in the Moore County school system, later graduating from Pinckney High School in Carthage, North Carolina. Upon graduation, Blanche married William Louis "Jake" Gilchrist in Montgomery County, North Carolina. They later moved to Greensboro, North Carolina to raise their children and seek better employment opportunities. Blanche retired from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro after being employed for many years.

For much of her adult life, Blanche was an active member of New Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina under the pastorship of Reverend Monroe Fuller prior to joining Christian Life Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Raymond Logan, also located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Blanche loved being surrounded by family, great gospel singing, which she enjoyed with her parents, siblings, and extended family members, and great food. She enjoyed baking pound cakes and we all enjoyed eating them.

Prior to her decline in health and the height of the pandemic, she could often be found on outings with her nieces, Pearl, and Jean. If anyone ever questioned her whereabouts, most knew where to look—she could often be found sitting down eating at a restaurant or also attending the Otis Hairston Silver Seniors group with Pearlie, Jean and numerous of her friends from her community, often taking bus trips to visit other areas in the state of North Carolina.

Blanche was a woman of dignity rather than pretense. She did not seek attention, yet her life spoke volumes. She carried herself with dignity, wisdom, and a steady spirit that made others feel grounded simply by being near her. Her strength was not loud, but it was enduring.

She was deeply connected to her family roots and understood the importance of legacy long before it became a word often spoken. Through her life, she modeled resilience, responsibility, and the value of showing up, especially when it mattered most. She represented a generation that carried much, said little, and loved deeply.

Blanche witnessed decades of change and lived through seasons that required courage, patience, and resolve. Through it all, she remained steadfast, offering example rather than explanation. Her life reminds us that impact is not always measured by what is said, but by how one lives.

She leaves behind a family who honors her memory, cherishes her place in our lineage, and carries forward the values she embodied. Though she will be missed, her life remains woven into the fabric of our family story.

She leaves to cherish her memory—children: Benny Cecil Rice (Cynthia), Lillie Hood (Edward), Phyllis Banks, Gloria Powell (Gregory), and Brenda Townsend (Levester).

Grandchildren: Deana (Dennis), David O' (Kefia), LaMarr (Jaqueline), Denita (Ricky), Travis, Jackie (Kelly), Nathan, Lamont, Krystal, Joshua, Valerie, Jervon and Emmanuel; sixteen great-grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

We give thanks for her years, her legacy, and the quiet strength she shared with us all.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Trinity AME, 631 E. Florida Street, Greensboro; visitation with the family begins at 10:30 am followed by the service at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow at New Zion AME Church Cemetery in Robbins, NC.