Marjorie Maxine Vannest

Marjorie (also known as “Margie” or “Marge”) Maxine Blew Vannest, age 89 of Georgetown, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 21, at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. She was born on September 17, 1922, in Noble County, Oklahoma, to Harry Sylvester and Florence Crane Blew. She was one of six children and was preceded in death by her siblings: Betty Jean Alley, Jack Blew, Robert Blew, and Wanda Butler. She is survived by her sister Molly Wright and her husband, Johnnie; by her sister-in-law, Norma Blew; and by her brother-in-law, Jack Alley.

Margie grew up in Red Rock, Oklahoma, and after graduation, moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, to attend business school. While there, she became an active member of the First Christian Church. She met Neal R. Vannest at the church, and on May 27, 1942, they were married there. During the next ten years, they gave birth to three children: David Neal, Richard Deen, and Kristi Sue. David is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Ponca City, close to the site where Margie’s and Neal’s cremains will be buried. Richard resides in Coppell, Texas, and is married to Patricia Brady. They have three children: Tara Coulson, Andra Evans, and Brett Welaj. Kristi resides in Austin, Texas, and is married to Dan Michener. They have four children: Kaitlin Osburn, Dustin Osburn, Steve Michener, and Brian Michener. Margie is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Margie and Neal spent nearly 63 years together before Neal made the transition from this life. As a part of Neal’s career with the Santa Fe Railroad, they lived in many towns in Oklahoma, including Shawnee, Enid, and Tulsa. They eventually returned to Ponca City to help take care of their elderly parents and began their retirement years there. Then, in 1996, they moved to Georgetown, Texas, to be near their children and grandchildren and to become residents of Sun City.

Margie’s young and middle adult life was filled with volunteer work with PTA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, but primarily with the churches she attended. She led Sunday school classes for all ages, worked as a church camp counselor and a youth group leader. She served on membership boards and planning committees for Rogers Heights Christian Church and Community Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and for First Christian Church in Ponca City. She always enjoyed arts and crafts, reading and writing poems and short stories, and spending time with her family and friends. She spent these last few years as a member of the Sun City community and the First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown and, through email and regular phone calls, faithfully kept in touch with her many dear friends and relatives who live all across the country.

All those who know Margie know that she had a deep and abiding faith that was a part of each choice she made in life and was one of the major factors she considered whenever giving advice or sharing her ideas about something of importance. She left us all a rich legacy founded on the importance of family and faith and many wonderful memories to cherish.

A celebration service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, June 27, at 2 p.m. A second celebration will be held in Ponca City, Oklahoma, this September in honor of Margie’s 90th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, the First Christian Church of Ponca City, Oklahoma, or the First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown.