Mattie Blair

Centralia, KS - Mattie Blair was born September 11, 1904, the daughter of Octavia Jessee and John Shaefer, and passed away July 22, 2008, at the home of her daughter and son in law in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on a farm southwest of Centralia and was the youngest of four children. She attended the Pleasant Hill country school and then attended Centralia High School, graduating in 1923 with a Normal Training Certificate. Mattie then taught school for four years, during which time she attended two summer school sessions, one of which was at Emporia State College and the other at Kansas State College in Manhattan.

In 1917, she joined the United Methodist Church in Centralia and was an honorary member of the United Methodist Women. Mattie was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

In 1927 she married Raymond Blair and they lived all of their married life in Centralia except for a few years in Stockton, California, in the 1930's. Mattie and Raymond had the Blair Grocery store in Centralia until it was destroyed by fire in 1957. She was a wonderful and kind mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her son, Joe, in 1985, by her husband Raymond in 1987, and by her great-granddaughter Kali Marie Ridder in 1992. She is survived by her daughter and husband Janice and Tom Irwin of Wichita, Kansas, and by 4 grandchildren, Dr. Scott Irwin of Phoenix, Arizona; Amy Zerener and husband Mark of Cheney, KS; Stephanie Ridder and husband Tom of Tracy, California; Jennifer Murati and husband Pedro of Andover, KS; and eight great grandchildren - Kaci, Kari, and Thomas Ridder, Elena, Max, and Nick Murati, and Bryce and Brock Zerener.

Funeral services was be Friday July 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home in Centralia, KS. Rev. Deborah Hanes-Nelson conducted the services. Janelle Glatczak was the organist and Scott Irwin played "It is Well with My Soul" as a special selection. Burial will be in Centralia Cemetery. Casket bearers are Tom Irwin, Scott Irwin, Mark Zerener, Bryce Zerener, Brock Zerener and Paul Elliott.

Memorials are being left to the Centralia United Methodist Church or the Eastridge Nursing Home and may be sent in care of the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home in Centralia, KS.