Blanche Ellen Byers

Blanche Ellen Byers (Morris) died August 5, 2026, surrounded in love and prayers. In her last days she was cared for and kept in comfort by the staff at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center. For years before she lived at the “home of love” provided by her daughter and son-in-law Claudia Souders and The Rev. Scott Souders in Copley Ohio.

Blanche was born in 1930 in East Cleveland Ohio to Ellen and Clarence “Bruce” Morris. She was the youngest of four sisters. Blanche graduated from Shaw High School and later married Thomas Byers in 1950. Blanche and Tom were loving parents of Keith (Sheryl Cole), Claudia (Scott Souders), and Jenny (Jeff Connor). They were proud grandparents of Sarah, Anne, Mark, David, Jonathan, Hannah, and Alex. Blanche was great-grandmother to Jack, Noah, Tessa, Joshua, Lucy, Clara, Gideon, Tommy, Brix, Cavan and Alexanya.

Her Christian faith supported her throughout her life in both joyful and difficult times, and it never wavered. She wanted all people to be healed, loved and respected. Blanche’s spiritual home was in the church where she played vital roles in healing, prayer, music and women’s ministries. As a young woman she studied opera and was known throughout her life for her wonderful choir voice in the churches she loved and cherished, including Holy Spirit Anglican Church and recently, St. Luke’s Church in Copley, Ohio.

Blanche was an unflagging help mate and partner to her beloved husband Tom and supported the creation of their business, Nice Slides Inc., in Cleveland Ohio in 1979. They enjoyed a few years of retirement before Tom died in 1995. Blanche went on to work until she was eighty as support staff at Ghent Family Practice, in Ghent Ohio, where they appreciated her calm, loving personality.

Memorial service will be at St. Luke’s Church, 3810 Ridgewood Road, Copley, OH 44321 on SATURDAY, August 15. A calling hour at the church will be from Noon to 1:00, followed by the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Luke’s Church.