Obituary of Virginia Marie Blair

Virginia Marie Jackson Blair, died September 15, 2023, in Chico, California in her home surrounded by family. She was 91 years of age. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 21, 1932, the oldest child of Caroline Becker Jackson, and Paul Jackson. She married Bart Lavell Blair, her high school sweetheart, on July 29, 1950, in Culver City, California. They were married for 73 years. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah, on May 27, 1955.

She spent her early childhood in Chicago, Illinois, where she attended public schools through the ninth grade. She moved with her family to Santa Monica, California in 1947. She graduated from Venice High School in Los Angeles, California, in 1950.

She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in various organizations. Virginia and Bart served four missions for their church, the first being in West Virginia.

Virginia and Bart enjoyed traveling the world together, Europe, Mexico, and the Middle East to name just a few of their adventures. Virginia loved growing beautiful flowers, she also had a green thumb, and a bounteous vegetable garden. She had peach, and orange trees, and shared their harvest with family, neighbors, or anyone in need of a little extra help. In her later years, she had a hummingbird feeder outside the window, and loved to sit by the window and watch the hummingbirds feed and flutter about. She was a kind woman, with a warm smile, and twinkle in her eye, that would make anyone in her presence feel comfortable. She loved her family, and taught her children the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. She enjoyed her grandchildren, and loved to play board games with them, take them to the park, or on other outings. She is survived by her husband, Bart L. Blair, Chico, California, four children, Janet(Jay) Jensen, Riverton, Utah, Susan Peterson, Springdale, Washington, Robert Blair, Chico, California, Linda(Tad) Espinosa, Los Molinos, California, 19 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Pamela Jean(Dave) Ivy, son-in-law Brad Peterson, sister Diane Crankshaw, great granddaughter, Julia Loveland, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alamo Chapel, on 735 W. East Avenue, Chico, CA. A visitation will be held on Monday between 8:45 - 9:45 a.m., prior to funeral service at the church. Burial will follow services at the Glen Oaks Cemetery.