Blanche Gettys Fraser

Blanche Louise Gettys Fraser, a lifelong resident of Houston, Texas, passed away on September 23, 2025, at the age of 100. A child of the Greatest Generation who survived the Great Depression and World War II, Blanche still managed to live a life filled with joy, art, music, books, theater, travel and film. She especially loved going to the movies with some of her nieces and looked forward to every film and meal they shared together. Her intelligence, love of family, personal honesty and integrity were hallmarks of her character and touched the lives of all who knew her. She loved her neighbors, watched their children grow to adulthood and valued them all as her second family.

While attending the University of Houston in her youth, judges for "The Ten Most Beautiful Vanity Fair Girls" selected Blanche as one of the ten for 1945. In their selection notes they pointed out that her movie star beauty was "serene" and went on to remark that "her face bespeaks intelligence and sincerity." As a student at UH, Blanche met fellow student Alfred P. Fraser, and they married in November of 1949. They remained together as husband and wife for 61 beautiful years until his passing in 2011.

Blanche worked for more than 35 years at the Texas Company (now, Chevron) as a top executive secretary to one of the company's Vice Presidents. Throughout her employment, Blanche proved herself a loyal and able "keeper of the gate." and worked her way to the top of her profession through her skill, professionalism and discretion. After retirement, she continued to use her shorthand and typing prowess as long as she could.

The last surviving member of her immediate family, Blanche was predeceased by her parents Charles H. and Melissa Blanche Gettys, three older brothers Charles H, Jr., Harold V. "Red", and Carl F. Gettys and two younger sisters, Mildred Wilson and Lucille "Lucy" Buhman.

She leaves behind a loving family who remember special times spent with their Aunt Blanche. This includes nephews Charles A. Gettys, wife Alison and Carl R. Gettys; nieces Ruth G. Cole, Donna K. Farr, husband Michael; Cynthia W. Bowen, husband Jim; Nancy W. Smith, husband Leon, Jean B. Morrison, husband Kent, and Joan Pierce, husband Robert. Her passing is mourned by seven great nephews, three great nieces as well as six great-great nephews and two great-great nieces who continue her legacy of integrity and grace.

May the memories of her remarkable and joyful life bring comfort to all who cherished her.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:00 am at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Interment with a graveside service at 1:00 p.m. in the Finley Family Cemetery, Liberty, Texas.