Earlene Blair

Earlene Samples Blair gained her angel wings with her family by her side on May 14, 2021 after an incredible 97 years. She was born on September 26, 1923 in Lubbock County in the Acuff Community to Joseph and Gertie Mae Samples.

Earlene was the second to the youngest of 10 children and was the last of the surviving Samples children. She attended and graduated in 1940 from Roosevelt High School where she was a star basketball player. Earlene met W.J. “Dub” Blair in the fall of 1941. He was in the US Army, and they did their courtship through the mail. They were married on June 13, 1942. Dub was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Dub and Earlene had 2 children, Dolores Ann Blair, and Gaylon Wayne Blair. They moved back to Lubbock in the 1950s. Earlene worked for Smithlawn Maternity Home for 18 years and because of her distinguished service, the New Legacy Home for Women of Lubbock commemorated their director of the home office in her name. Both she and Dub were active members of Smithlawn Church of Christ and later Sunset Church of Christ became her church home. They were members of the Texas Plains Airstream Trailer Club and visited all 50 states.

Earlene is preceded in death by her beloved husband, “Dub,” of 57 years; a grandson Chadwick Blair; and a great granddaughter Rylee Blair.

She is survived by her daughter Dolores Ann Blair of Lubbock; son Gaylon Blair (Nancy) of Frisco; granddaughters Phebe Ellis-Roach (Shawn), Gloria Quinton, Carla Sullivan (Scott), Destinee Walker and Carey Farmer (Malcolm); 9 great grandchildren Jordan Quinton, Joshua Quinton, Konnor Sullivan, Anthony Sanchez, Shiloh Roach, Gabriella Sanchez, Kason Sullivan, Journey Stevenson, and Reagan Farmer; one great-great grandson Blaze Quinton and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Legacy Home for Women of Lubbock.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10:00AM at Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel with a graveside to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Funeral service will be lived streamed on Resthaven Funeral Home Lubbock facebook page.