Barbara Jeane (Nelson) Blair, of Independence, Missouri formerly of McPherson, Kansas, passed away May 24, 2020, at the age of 97. Born in Virgil, Kansas on April 21, 1923, to Floyd Q. Nelson and Flavis K. (Wilson, she spent her first years in McPherson County, including her K-12 education. She met her husband, Laurence G. Blair, while in high school, and they were married in 1942.
She was predeceased by her husband, parents, and one great-grandson.
She is survived by 3 children, Larry, Jr. (Denae) Merriam, KS, Lon R., Denton, TX, and Kathy Buerge (Alden, Joplin, MO. There are 7 grandchildren: Dawn (Bill) Stone, Matt (JoAnn) Blair, Andrea (David) Boots, Sarah Blair, Aaron (Angye) Buerge, Justin (Trisha) Buerge, and Brandon (Beth) Buerge. GiGi is survived by 12 great-grandchildren.
While living in McPherson, she worked at several part-time jobs including her husband’s real estate and insurance agency. Upon moving to Missouri in 1963, she worked as an executive secretary at Metropolitan Life as well as with her husband at Blair Accounting in Raytown.
She was a member of Blue Ridge Methodist Church and loved her friends in her Sunday School class.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A private ceremony will be held at the family grave site in McPherson, KS at a future date. The family thanks the devoted people at the Groves in Independence, Homestead North of Olathe, and Kansas Hospice Care for maintaining a quality of life in her last years.
Memorials may be made to any of these institutions or one of your choosing in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.