Blanche Brown Kevlin, peacefully passed away Sunday morning, March 26, in the Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas. She was born on December 14, 1933. Blanche moved to Corsicana in 2002 from Salado, Texas to care for her ailing mother. Prior to Salado, Blanche lived in the Dallas area for all her adult life. She is preceded in death by her father, James Rueben Ward, who passed away in 1948 in Los Angeles, California and her mother, Mrs. Retha Follis Ward Mahoney, who passed away in 2005 in Corsicana, Texas.

Blanche had a successful professional life in various endeavors. For years she served in executive positions in banks in Garland and Dallas. As a result of her understanding of the banking industry, she helped pioneer several banking innovations and established companies that offered services to banks, credit unions, and other banking institutions. Blanche left banking in the 1990s to successfully follow her heart, collecting. Blanche knew and nurtured Texas artists and supported many civic projects. She was an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers and served in several executive positions, including president.

Blanche was an avid devotee to French cuisine and took cooking classes from some the most famous chefs of Dallas such as Dean Fearing. Her passion for high quality eating led her to create the 5-star restaurant, The Tyler House, in Salado, Texas. While leading this well-known restaurant, she developed an exclusive housing development while living in Salado.

Blanche is survived by her sister, Madge, her husband Terry Pate of Houston, cousins, Cubie Ward and his wife Joyce, and Helen Anderson, of Midlothian. She was a member of the Church of the Incarnation of Dallas. Her farewell graveside memorial service will be conducted on Friday, March 31 at 2:00 PM by Fr. Ed Monk. Blanche will repose in peace by her beloved mother in the Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas.

Her family is very appreciative of Baylor's Palliative Care and Support unit and the Visiting Nurses Association for their care during her last days.

To Share memories and condolences with the family, please visit www.corleyfuneralhome.com and select the Blanche Brown Kevlin obituary.