Jean "Mama Jean" Blankenship
Jean "Mama Jean" Blankenship
March 15, 1921 — January 3, 2018
Jean "Mama Jean" Blankenship, age 96 and 10 months, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Claremont, California. Prior to her second time in California, Jean was a resident of Meadowlakes, Texas, from 1993-2016.
As Jean liked to say, she was born on the Ides of March on March 15, 1921, in Albany, Texas, to James Otis "J.O." and Elizabeth (Campbell) Roberts. Jean was the oldest of four girls, and was a big help to her parents as she watched her younger sisters while her parents ran the family businesses. She graduated from Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas, in 1942 and became a school teacher.
Jean met the love of her life, Henry Blankenship, in Denton and the two married in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 19, 1942. Jean and Henry moved across country to California in 1946 where they both were school teachers and raised two daughters, Betsy and Brenda. Jean taught at Foothill Intermediate School in Azusa, California, for 20 years before retiring in 1982. During the summer recess, the family of four would pack up the car and spend time in Idaho enjoying the great outdoors. This tradition continued long into retirement when Jean and Henry would spend spring and summer months in Island Park, Idaho, and fall and winter months in San Dimas, California. In 1993, the couple moved from San Dimas to Meadowlakes and continued being summerbirds in Idaho. A few years later, Jean and Henry settled into Meadowlakes fulltime.
Jean enjoyed morning coffee with Henry, both working on their crossword puzzles, and reminiscing about their friends and blessed lives. Jean was active in her garden, sewing, and bridge clubs. Jean continued her social engagements after her beloved husband of 63 years passed away in November 2005. She missed him every day. Jean moved back to California in 2016 to be closer to family.
Jean is preceeded in death by her husband Henry; her parents; and her sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Betsy (Fred) Preston and Brenda Blankenship Farrar; granddaughter Andrea Bowling; grandsons Brian Bowling, Matthew (Tina) Farrar, Eric Farrar, and Donald Farrar; great grandsons Blake Carnes, Caleb Farrar, Mason Farrar, and Micah Farrar. Jean will be remembered as a strong and independent woman.
A grave site funeral service was held Thursday, Jan. 11, at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, Burnet. The family hosted a reception following the service at 400 G Street, Marble Falls.
Online condolences may be made at clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.
