Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Liberty Baptist Church to celebrate the remarkable life of Mrs. Zula Blanche Crane DuBard, 103, of the Jefferson Community in Carroll County, who died on Thursday, Nov. 21, at her residence. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday evening, Nov. 24, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada and one hour prior to the service on Monday, Nov. 25, at Liberty Baptist Church.
Blanche was born on May 8, 1921, in Clarksdale, the daughter of the late Ernest Cline and the late Zula Blanche Adams Crane. She graduated from Draughn’s Business College in 1941, just in time for World War II. She went to work for the United States government at Camp McCain near Grenada for the duration of the war. In 1944, she married Melvin Hart DuBard, Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.
As a Navy wife, Blanche lived a challenging life raising children while Melvin was often deployed for months at a time. She was a wonderful storyteller having lots of interesting tales of survival, while knowing no one in various huge cities around the country. They were happily married for 62 years and raised four sons.
Blanche was a longtime member of Liberty Baptist Church and a member of the Carroll County Homemakers Club. She was an inspiration to everyone she met, showing incredible courage, faith and a kind and loving spirit as she lived into an advanced age. She will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, her husband, Melvin Hart DuBard, and one son, Donald Cline DuBard, preceded Blanche in death.
Survivors include, her sons, Ron DuBard (Betty) of Greenwood, Bob DuBard (Lorraine) of Grenada and David DuBard (Diana) of Oxford; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Colt Beaty, Ken DuBard, Tate DuBard, Trevor DuBard, Trey DuBard and Tyler DuBard honored Mrs. DuBard by serving as pallbearers and carried her to rest in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
