She graduated from Rice Institute in 1956, and following in the footsteps of her mother, became an elementary school teacher in the Houston ISD. She met her husband of 61 years, Eugene, while attending Rice, and the two were married in Houston in 1957. They honeymooned in Colorado, where they spent July 4th on Pike’s Peak watching cars race up the mountain.
Their eldest child, Carol, was born in 1960, and twin boys, Ronald and Robert followed in 1962. After staying home with her children for eight years, Anita then went to work for Texas Water Wells as an Accountant. Having introduced Eugene to camping early on in their marriage, the two greatly enjoyed taking their family camping out West together. Anita followed Eugene in becoming a ham radio operator, taking on the call sign WA5JMC, after becoming frustrated at not being able to join in his radio conversations. Eugene, call sign WA5CYI, purchased her a handie-talkie for use in her car; because the power output was so low that she could not break into the “QSO’s,” he installed a 75watt amplifier. Thereafter, whenever Anita talked, everyone listened! She especially enjoyed being an officer in the Gaylarks, a social group for hams and their “XYLs” (Ex Young Ladies). She particularly looked forward to their monthly dining outings, which continued on for many years.
Later in life, in addition to camping, Anita and Eugene began to travel extensively via cruise ships. They visited all over the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, China, and most of Europe. Anita particularly enjoyed cruising with her mother in law. Two stand out trips included the viewing of two total solar eclipses. When she had time to relax at home, she spent time both knitting and crocheting, as well as indulging in romance novels and whodunnits.
Anita loved being a grandmother to Alexandra, and delighted in her two great grandchildren, Jackson and Ezra. Whenever they were in her arms, she just beamed.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Edwin and Eunice Blankinship. She is survived by her husband Eugene; her siblings, Edwina, Edwin, and Sue; her children, Carol, Ronald, and Robert; her granddaughter, Alexandra; and her great grandchildren, Jackson and Ezra.
The family will be having a visitation from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday, February 4, 2019, at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 S Kirkwood, Stafford, TX 77477. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 am, at the Earthman Southwest Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org.
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