Claude Wilbur Blair

NEW ELLENTON, SC – CLAUDE WILBUR BLAIR, 87, beloved husband of Virginia L. Chambers Blair, died Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at University Hospital, Augusta, GA.      Claude was born and raised in the mountains outside Banner Elk North Carolina.  He was the son of Charlie and Beaula Jones Blair.  In the early 1950's Claude left the mountains to serve in the Army.  His discharge at Ft. Gordon led him to a job at the Savannah River Site and to marry Virginia Chambers of Roan Mountain, TN.       Claude worked at the Savannah River Plant from 1955 to 1990 in the Health Physics department.  Along with the many close friends, he watched his career, the Savanah River Plant, his Church and the CSRA grow to what it is today.  Claude loved the heating and air trade.  With other family members, Claude co-founded Blue Ridge Heating and Air in Elizabethton, TN.  Locally he started Blair's Heating and Air.  Through Blair's H&A Claude helped many associates start businesses of their own.      Claude was close to his church, Corinth Baptist, in New Ellenton, SC.  He and Virginia joined the church which was moved from Old Ellenton in the early 1950's.  Over the years, he served Corinth Baptist Church in many capacities and watched with pride as the church grew and matured.      Claude always had many dear friends and deeply loved his whole family.  He is survived by his wife Virginia, son Scotty (Alice), grandson Dylan (Toni) Hewitt, and their children Zach, Jacob, Landen, Sydney, Madeline, Eliana and Levi.  Claude has a brother Fred (Joanne) of Banner Elk, NC, Troy (Brenda) of Marion, N.C., and a sister Mildred (Bud) Parker of Roan Mountain, TN.  Claude is proceeded in death by his parents and a brother Homer (Evelyn) of Marion, NC. Claude had many nephews and nieces who he thought the world of.       Claude was a friendly, compassionate, generous, kind and forgiving person.  His sunny personality, eagerness to help, quick humor, sharp mind and his permanent, genuine grin always made him a welcomed sight.  He lived his life happy, upbeat and outgoing. His passing leaves a hole in all of our lives.      The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, April 14th beginning at Noon at Corinth Baptist Church.  The funeral will follow at 2 o’clock with The Revs. Mike Bell and Brancie Stephens officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.      Memorial contributions may be directed to Corinth Baptist Church, 805 South Main St., New Ellenton, SC 29809. SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Claude Wilbur Blair, please visit our flower store.