Myrtle Amanda (Lindsey) Blanchard

Myrtle Amanda (Lindsey) Blanchard, age 83, passed away on January 9, 2021. She was born on April 9, 1937 in Jasper, TX to John E. and Edith Bernice Jolly Lindsey.

The heart bestowed upon her was special, emanating brightly with many virtues, yet woven within every fiber was love, pure and unwearied. Life was hard at times, though Myrtle’s kindheartedness, devotion, and passion was felt by all that crossed her path. None knew this more than her beloved children, whom she raised as a single mother. She supported them, worked hard to provide for them, and fixed most things with her wonderful hugs, for Myrtle was a hugger. When her son, Randy, played sports, she was always there. With Tracy and the girls by her side, Myrtle was not just an attending, supportive mother sitting idly in the stands at football games; as the offense would take the field, there rang a distinctive yell, loud and passionate, that everyone on the field knew was coming from wherever Myrtle was seated. As a longtime Houston Oilers fan, she loved football, but beyond anything, she treasured the moments with her children: making regular weekend trips to the Galveston beach, cooking for and entertaining many of their friends, who considered her a second mom, and, as they grew to adulthood, having all the family over for Sunday dinner for her pot roasts, ribeye steaks, and many other culinary yearnings. As her family grew to encompass grandchildren, the most often looked forward to Sunday treat were “Grandma” or “Memaw’s” special M&M cookies; they were the greatest. Myrtle was social, and her careers fit her open and inviting nature, as a cocktail waitress, bartender, and eventually retiring as a secretary from a construction firm, and always made a lasting impression. Myrtle’s smile and red hair earned her the nickname “Rusty” among coworkers and friends. Should you happen to accompany Myrtle to her favorite of pastimes, one would happen upon a smoke-filled room, surrounded by an unwaveringly focused room of peers, awestruck at the efficiency of elderly ladies punching bingo cards; this is where Cathi and Charla spent many hours with their mother, with Myrtle loving every minute of it, especially if she were winning. Spending her last eight years in a nursing facility would have stifled her sociability, yet when she discovered Facebook, it gave her everything she needed. Going through thirteen smart phones in eight years, due to her overly impassioned swiping, Myrtle kept up constantly with friends and family through pictures and messages. She was a real-life angel; and though she has passed from this life, dwelling in the hearts of her loved ones are the memories of her tasty meals, lasting warmth of her loving embrace, and a love that is forever marked on many hearts, because surely Myrtle’s love was a special love.

Left to honor her memory are her sons, Charles Randall Gault and wife, Jennifer, of Seabrook, TX and Tracy Glyn Gault of Burkeville, TX; daughters, Cathi Lanette Blake and Charla Deanne Cornell, both of Lufkin, TX; brothers, Bill Lindsey, and James Lindsey and wife, Dee; sister, Sherry Farquhar and husband, David; grandchildren, Linzi Alvardo, Amanda Williams, Joshua Hallmark, Cindy Crawford, Tricia Ellingson, Timothy Gault and wife, Audra, and Trent Gault; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Myrtle is preceded in death by her loving husband, Clarence Blanchard; son-in-law, Mark Blake, whom she cherished as a son; brothers, Luke Lindsey, Johnny Lindsey, Cyril Lindsey, and Jerry Wayne Lindsey; sisters, Imogene Webber, Pauline Yvonne Hamilton, Violet Lindsey, and Melvie Lindsey.

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 601 W. Gibson St., Jasper, TX. Myrtle’s life honoring service will be Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., also at the funeral home, with Bro. Steven Dougharty officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at Little Hope Cemetery,  CR 142 Jasper, TX 75951.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Myrtle Amanda (Lindsey) Blanchard, please visit our floral store.