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- [S2669] Legacy Website, 13 August 2012; Nelda Jean (McCuistion) Blanton.
Nelda Jean (McCuistion) Blanton
Obituary
Jean (McCuistion) Blanton December 29, 1930 August 10, 2012 Nelda Jean (McCuistion) Blanton, 81, of Bryan Texas, passed away Friday, August, 10 2012. Nelda was born on December 29, 1930 in Beaumont, TX, to Herman Wilson McCuistion and Cleo Ibera Trawick McCuistion. She married her high school sweetheart, Sammie Joel Blanton, in 1950.
Nelda graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, Texas in 1948. She went to Abilene Christian College for one year in 1948-49. Nelda loved to sing. She had a beautiful soprano voice privileging her to perform with the Melody Maids in the 1940s. The Melody Maids were formed in 1942 in Beaumont, Texas by Mrs. Eloise Milam in order to help sell war bonds. They soon became so much more and were in demand not only in Texas but throughout the U.S. They sang for service groups and service men at military bases, hospitals and even performed at Radio City Music Hall.
Nelda served as a substitute teacher in the South Park Independent School District while raising five boys. Once her five boys were all in school, Nelda felt a calling to become a nurse and earned an LVN Degree from Lamar College in Beaumont when she was in her late 30's. Over the next almost 20 years, she worked as a nurse in various hospitals and physician offices in Beaumont, Texas
After retiring, Sam and Nelda moved to Bryan, Texas. Nelda was a lifelong, devout Christian and an avid member of A&M Church of Christ in College Station, Texas. Her hobbies included crafting jewelry, quilting and water aerobics. She recently took joy in being a member of the Red Hat ladies group
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Herman Dwan McCuistion. Survivors include her five sons and their families, Randy and Louise Blanton, of Seabrook, TX, Steve Blanton, of Austin, TX, Mack and Jennifer Blanton, of College Station, TX, Richard Blanton, of Lumberton, TX, Jeff and Patti Blanton, of College Station, TX; Sister and brother-in-law, Retha and Ken Kennamer, of Abilene, TX. Grandchildren include: Chris Blanton, his wife Christy, Ben Blanton, his wife Tina, Michelle Blanton Strong, her husband Travis, Samantha Blanton, Karl Blanton, his wife Courtney, Brittany Blanton, Chad Blanton, Heather Blanton, James Johns and Andrew Dorer. Great grandchildren include: Richard Karl Jr., Kailey Marie, Lillie, Lexi, Kendall, Kyle, Samuel Dale and Lauren Blanton. Nelda was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother who will be missed by all.
A memorial service will be held at the A&M Church of Christ in College Station on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Please leave condolences at www.callawayjones.com
Published in The Beaumont Enterprise on August 13, 2012
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