Virginia Ann Blanchard

Virginia Ann Blanchard, 87, formerly of Anadarko, was born July 1, 1927, to Talbert and Dorothy (Ellison) Prickett in Anadarko. She passed from this life on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha.
Virginia was raised and attended school in Anadarko, graduating with the Class of 1945. She attended the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha and Cameron University in Lawton obtaining an Associate's Degree in business. Virginia worked for the Department of Human Services for several years. Starting in 1964, she worked for the Department of Education at the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a grant writer for thirty years, retiring in 1994.
Virginia was an active member of the Bethel Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, played piano, sang in the choir, taught GA's, and for many years led the W.M.U. in many capacities. She was certified by the Home Mission Board in 1992 as a Literacy Missions Associate and tutored the Hispanic members of the church in learning English. In her later years of membership, she organized Operation Christmas Child, a Franklin Graham ministry dear to her heart.
After retirement, Virginia tutored grade school students in reading. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, arts and crafts and selling Avon. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Virginia was prededed in death by her parents; one son, Thomas Blanchard; five brothers, Theodore Prickett, Richard Prickett, Ivan Prickett, Talbert Prickett and Jack Prickett; two sisters, Margaret Koch and Dorothy Gibson.
Survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Grisham and her husband, Gary of Chickasha; one son, Richard Blanchard and his wife, Kathy of Kingston; one daughter-in-law, Lisa Blanchard of Anadarko; seven grandchildren, Michelle Fox of Fort Worth, Texas, Shannon Wyatt of Chickasha, Richard Dean Blanchard and his wife, Darcy, Stacie Gibson, both of Kingston, Whitney Mejia, Thomas Chad Blanchard and Marin Blanchard, all of Anadarko; thirteen great grandchildren, Austin Fox, Leeza Fox, Lyndsey Wright and her husband, Kyle, Taylor Wyatt, Torie Hampton and her husband, Hunter, Tanner Blanchard, Tyler Blanchard, Dustin Gibson, Alexus Mejia, Izabella Mejia, Madalyn Mejia, Lucadio Mejia and Eden Blanchard; one great great grandchild, Wyatt Hampton; two brothers, David Prickett and his wife, Lois of Anadarko; and Tom Prickett and his wife, Phyllis of Showlow, Arizona; one sister, Rosemary Couch of Kansas City, Missouri, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 7 P.M., Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at the Steverson Funeral Home. The funeral is scheduled for 2 P.M., Thursday, December 11, 2014, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Anadarko. Burial will follow in Memory Lane Cemetery.