Bessie Blanchette's Obituary
Bessie Blanchette passed away at her home on May 26, 2016. She was born in Stephenville, Texas on July 28, 1921 to Charles and Bessie Neblett. She attended Tarleton Jr. College and then the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her future husband, James Grady Blanchette. They married in Stephenville on May 29, 1944 when Jim was home on a weekend leave. Bess was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Dallas. She was the consummate homemaker and hostess. She was a member of The Northwood Club, Dallas Woman’s Club and the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club. She played golf and was the only family member to ever shoot a hole-in-one. She loved tennis, bridge, traveling, and most of all her Longhorns. For years, she and Jim went to Texas football games both at home and away. They witnessed first-hand many of the biggest games in Longhorn history. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Jowell Neblett, Charles Neblett, and Paul Neblett and her sister, Marjorie Forester. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Linda and Robert Ponti of Dallas, Kay and Jim Hill of Midland, and Martha and Rich Caschette of Denver. Also, she is survived by her grandchildren Tara Sinco of Montgomery, Alabama, Jennifer Ashby of Fairview, Amanda Burkett of the Woodlands, Courtney Ptak of Midland, and Katie, Maggie and Drew Caschette, all of Denver and nine great grandchildren. Special thanks go to Rita Juarez and Angie Guerrero for their faithful and loving care of Bess for these past years. There was a private family graveside service on May 31. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243. Any memorials can be made to the Presbyterian Village Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.
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