RETA LEE BLYSTONE Blystone, Reta Lee, 96, of Brea, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2003 of complications arising from a leg broken two weeks earlier. Born June 13, 1907 to John W. and Minnie Lee Taylor in Waco, Texas, she moved to Brea in 1929 where she met and married Frank E. Blystone in 1933. They had a son and daughter. Prior to her marriage she worked as a bookkeeper for the Bank of Italy in La Habra and then for Baldwin Motors Ford Garage in Brea. In 1964 she moved to Needles where Frank was foreman and inspector for the construction of Pacific Lighting Gas Supply Company's compressor station 21. After Frank's death in 1965, she stayed in Needles until returning to Brea in 1976. It was in Needles during her bereavement that she began her china painting and created numerous delicate pieces cherished by those fortunate to receive one. A longtime member of the Brea Historical Society, she was also a prodigious genealogist to the point of establishing her own library to accommodate the expanding data base of her worldwide research. She was the "go to" person for information on a family tree dating back to the 1400's on her side and the 1200's on Frank's side. A favorite heroine on her side was Lady Lilliard of Scotland whose strength and fortitude in adversity was an inspiration to Reta . Reta was predeceased by her beloved Waco born sister, Madie Dee Rogers and brother, John L. "Bud" Taylor, also a long time Brea resident. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, daughter, two grandsons and two great grandsons. Reta, whose caring friendship was a blessing to many, daily expressed her thanks for the blessings she felt from family and friends with the following: "I am thankful that in God's design, he planned it so your path crossed mine. My cup runneth over." Funeral, including graveside service Order of the Eastern Star services by Chispa Chapter 151 of which she was a member, is scheduled for Friday, July 18, at 1PM at Neels Brea Mortuary with interment to follow at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California. Reta and her family wish to thank the wonderful care givers at Brighton Gardens Yorba Linda assisted living and skilled nursing. Placentia Linda Hospital and Solari Hospice, her neighbors surrounding her home which she was able to visit daily until her fall and most especially Rosa, whose devoted care and friendship enabled her last few years to be lived as a full, interesting life benefitting all "whose paths crossed hers" In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the Brea Historical Society, P.O. Box 9764, Brea, California 92882.
Published by Orange County Register on Jul. 16, 2003.
Contributor: Ghost Town Gal (46616557)