Mom was a peacemaker and she was dearly loved. We miss her so much. She passed away to the loving arms of Jesus on September 16, 2010. Mom was born on November 26, 1931 to Walter and Myrtle Fleming in Van Nuys, CA. After graduation she went to visit her sister in Mossyrock. She met the love of her life, Arnold Blankenship. While they were dating she would wait for him to stop by after work but if it got too late she would go to bed. But she knew the sound of his logging truck and could hear it coming up the prairie and she would be dressed waiting for him on the porch by the time he got there. They were married on August 27, 1949 in Mossyrock. They had three children. Barbara Lovelady in 1950, Roger Blankenship in 1953, who passed away from SIDS and God gave them Dave Blankenship two years to the date of Roger passing away. She went from a city gal to a farmer's wife and learned how to milk cows and drive tractor. Mom was very talented in many ways. She could sew anything even without a pattern. She also made porcelain dolls that she received numerous awards at the fair. Her daughter was fortunate enough to receive a family of large Indian dolls and granddaughters and other family members were given one as well. The largest one she made was "Lady Grace", stands 5'4", which she gave to her son and daughter-in-law. She also worked with leather. Other hobbies were her roses, gardening, raising canaries, candle making, auctions, garage sales and baking. Everyone especially enjoyed her cinnamon rolls. She was well known for making baby quilts for all the babies born at the Assembly of God Church in Mossyrock. Mom loved her animals and her dog Chulo misses her very much.
She worked for Lewis County Juvenile for many years and was a dog groomer. Mom was a member of the Richland Valley Church of the Brethren at Ajlune. Mom and Dad also enjoyed belonging to the Mossyrock Damsighters Square Dance Club and the Mossyrock Grange.
She is survived by husband Arnold, daughter Barbara Lovelady, son Dave (Joyce) Blankenship and stepson Rick (Carol) Reed. She loved her grandchildren dearly: Marco (Tami Davis) Trejo, Rebecca (Jesse) Trejo-Dunham, Amanda Perez and Megan (Doug Taylor) Blankenship, great grandson Rafael Perez, step-grandchildren: Ernie (Nancy) Reed, Dinean Reeves, Troy (Daniel) Reed, Mindy (Chris) Fay, step-great grandchildren: Joshua Malchow, Ashley Malchow, Tyler Reeves, Lacey Malchow, Tony Reeves, Tino Reed, Johnathan Reed, Virginia Reed, Samantha Fay, Lauren Fay, step-great great grandchildren: Jessy Childress and Triston Malchow. There were many friends of their children and grandchildren that called her grandma. Mom is also survived by a sister, Myrt Victorino in Chehalis and a brother Paul (Betty) Fleming in Kernville, CA as well as several nieces and nephews. Mom and Dad also had foster children.
She was preceded in death by son Roger Blankenship, parents Walter and Myrtle Fleming, grandparents, son-in-law Garry Lovelady and step-grandson Jessy Reed.
We would like to thank the people who cared for her over the last few years: Megan Blankenship, Doug Taylor, Elsie Kirk, Sally Cowles and Janet Tevis. Thank you to Pastor George Page and Sticklin Funeral Chapel for their assistance during this difficult time. We also want to thank the Parkinson's Support Group in Chehalis and Mossyrock Lewis County Fire District #3 for the loving care they gave Mom.
A celebration of life for Mom will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 1 PM at the Richland Valley Church of the Brethren (118 Swofford Road) at Ajlune and a potluck will follow at the Mossyrock Grange #355 (152 Isbell Road).