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Anna Lucille Lair
10/30/1921 — 04/17/2007
From Benton, City, WA, US | Born in Atwood, Colorado
Anna Lucille Lair
Anna ''Lucille'' Jones Lair, age 85, went to rest from all her labors on April 17, 2007, in Richland with her three daughters embracing her. Congestive heart failure will be expressed as cause of death; however, osteoporosis spinal compressions and scoliosis of the spine collapsed one lung a year ago; and recent compressions were smashing the remaining lung, pinching a vertebral nerve, and placing extreme exertion on a determined little heart.
Mama was born October 30, 1921, in Atwood, Logan County, Colorado to Leonard Guy Jones and Florence Anna Jane Saul Jones. As a two and a half pound baby born before incubators, she insisted on thriving in her shoebox in the wood-burning stove's warming oven.
She graduated from Atwood High School, near Sterling. On December 25, 1940, Mama married Orval James Lair in Atwood, Colorado at 2:00 p.m.
Lucille and Orval reached their 57th Anniversary on December 25, 1997, and Dad went to rest at 6:15 p.m. that very Christmas Day.
Mama was a lady, feminine and tender. She was strict -- consistent and accurate. She insisted on good performance: posture, music, spelling, sewing, 4-H, learning. Mama beamed when all three daughters graduated Valedictorian, respectively, 1961, 1962, and 1976 from Ki-Be High School.
Mama lived in a tent with daughters Virda and Elaine after Dad returned from World War II because jobs were scarce. They ''followed the fruit'' from California to Wenatchee, Washington and back again for three years. The wages earned bought 26-acres of woods and one cleared acre. Mama learned to pick hops, green beans, filberts, boysenberries, cherries, and strawberries. Mama carried fresh water 1/4 mile away from a creek in the woods. She also aided Dad in cutting huge trees and planting their own strawberry field. She learned to run from bees when a ''felled'' tree would happen to squash bee nests in the ground. They hand-carried water for all those many strawberry plants. She used the separator and sold milk and cream. She churned butter and ''slopped'' pigs. She sewed feedsacks to make dresses for her daughters. Mama endured a ''2-holer'' until 1954 when Dad got a job at Hanford. Don't think a softer life off the farm made Mama any less strict or resolute. Learning came first with Mama; as a daughter, your job was to study! She was always there to facilitate that. Whether it was listening to you read for a half an hour or quizzing you on current events, Mama would help.
Mama was an avid genealogist. This was a good avocation for a determined lady. The puzzles her ancestors left her were unable to stop her from unraveling the paper trail that would allow her daughters to become members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This hobby led to a lifetime of correspondence with family and friends, librarians and historians.
She is survived by sisters Lenore Marguerite Severance of Merino, CO, and Virginia Ruth Robinson of Helena, MT, and daughters Virda Ann Nunn Stanley E. of Richland, WA, Patricia ''Elaine'' Lewis Jon R. of Orting, WA, and Deborah Lucille Lair Jan-Mark Zender of Patterson, CA, two grandsons, four granddaughters, four great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were parents Leonard Guy Jones, Florence Anna Jane Saul Jones, husband Orval James Lair, brothers Leonard, Lloyd, and Lawrence Jones, sister Florence Jones, twin sister Alice Jones, granddaughter Michelle Tarr, great-grandson Jacob Berry, great-greatgranddaughter Vanessa Berry.
Her family thanks Pastor Jim Dyson, Doctors Robert Margulies, David Merkley, Hoyeol Yang, Glen Zuroske, and Kadlec Medical Center doctors and nurses in both the ER and the 4th floor Comfort Room facilities. And a special thank you to Mom's compassionate neighbor Linda Hickey who provided assistance and comfort on a daily basis.
In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution to Kadlec Foundation, 888 Swift Avenue, Richland, WA 99352.
Viewings will be held at Einan's Funeral Home on Saturday, April 21 st, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., and Sunday, April 22nd, from noon to 2:00 P.M. Her funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 22nd, at 2:00 P.M. at Einan's Funeral Home, in Richland.
Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens next to the relief of the Lord's Supper, Richland, WA.
We would like to send our condolences to the Lair family. Mrs.Lair will be missed greatly, she was a very friendly and loved her family much. I will miss talking to her over the fence for hours, most of all I miss all the family stories she would tell me and I will never forget week before last went I went searching for her ritadien that Verda and I had put in top of cabinet a while back and Mrs. Lair sat on opposite side of table that she normally does not and watch me searching for it as she had a big smile on her face and asked if I had check the closet, so I went over to check of course it was not their so I double checked everything again and the whole time I did she was sitting their laughingshe hide it from us. She loved to hide things.She was like a granny to me and her last words to me were I love You Iam glad Verda and Mrs.Lair and the family allowed me to come into her home and take care of her. She will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you! Love, Linda, Gary,Bryan neighbors
Virda and Stan, Elaine, Debbie, Aunt Lenore, and Aunt Ruth:
We would like to send our deepest condolences to Virda, Elaine, and Debbie and to your families, and to her sisters, Lenore and Ruth. We were saddened to hear of your mother’s and sister’s failing health and passing.
We were fortunate enough to visit with her a few times when our son, Tristan, was playing hockey for the JR B Titan’s team in Pasco. She was a joy to know and love.
We will always remember having her at our home along with her sisters, Lenore, and Ruth, when Uncle Lawrence passed away. Watching the three of them huddled on our sofa sharing their memories and some of the mischief they got into as siblings was an endearing gift to each of them. It was wonderful to provide this for them and they had a great visit with Lawrence’s wife, Violet, too. It was a great time for the three sisters to get together and we thank Virda so very much for getting Aunt Lucille to come to Colorado then. We do have some pictures of this event if any of the children would like any of them. Just email us and let us know and we will get them to you.
I remember when I was much younger when Aunt Lucille, Uncle Orval, and the three girls would come to Colorado to our farm and we could visit and play with our cousins. It was always a fun time.
We are sorry that we cannot make it to her funeral service but send our regrets to the family. All of your family members are in our prayers and thoughts during this time.
Love, Darlene and Lynn Harnly, Daniel and Tristan; Stephen and his family; and Kenny Jr. and his family; and Karen and her family.
Aunt lucille had a good sense of humor and she was always talking about family history. I remember when she came to Colo. to visit the family when we were young. also when she traveled to denver for her Youngest and last brother’s funeral. She and her two sisters and Our brother’s wife Violet, posed for photos and they just went together so well, all these white headed young looking weomen. They gave the rest of the family so much enjoyment at that memeorial, remembering all the mischief and good times thay had in times past. We had to make sure Aunt lucile arrived at the airport okay and departed the same way. it was a special time for all of us and she sure did enjoy herself. She was loved and will be missed.
We would like to send our condolences to the Lair family. Mrs.Lair will be missed greatly, she was a very friendly and loved her family much. I will miss talking to her over the fence for hours, most of all I miss all the family stories she would tell me and I will never forget week before last went I went searching for her ritadien that Verda and I had put in top of cabinet a while back and Mrs. Lair sat on opposite side of table that she normally does not and watch me searching for it as she had a big smile on her face and asked if I had check the closet, so I went over to check of course it was not their so I double checked everything again and the whole time I did she was sitting their laughingshe hide it from us. She loved to hide things.She was like a granny to me and her last words to me were I love You Iam glad Verda and Mrs.Lair and the family allowed me to come into her home and take care of her. She will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you! Love, Linda, Gary,Bryan neighbors
Virda and Stan, Elaine, Debbie, Aunt Lenore, and Aunt Ruth:
We would like to send our deepest condolences to Virda, Elaine, and Debbie and to your families, and to her sisters, Lenore and Ruth. We were saddened to hear of your mother’s and sister’s failing health and passing.
We were fortunate enough to visit with her a few times when our son, Tristan, was playing hockey for the JR B Titan’s team in Pasco. She was a joy to know and love.
We will always remember having her at our home along with her sisters, Lenore, and Ruth, when Uncle Lawrence passed away. Watching the three of them huddled on our sofa sharing their memories and some of the mischief they got into as siblings was an endearing gift to each of them. It was wonderful to provide this for them and they had a great visit with Lawrence’s wife, Violet, too. It was a great time for the three sisters to get together and we thank Virda so very much for getting Aunt Lucille to come to Colorado then. We do have some pictures of this event if any of the children would like any of them. Just email us and let us know and we will get them to you.
I remember when I was much younger when Aunt Lucille, Uncle Orval, and the three girls would come to Colorado to our farm and we could visit and play with our cousins. It was always a fun time.
We are sorry that we cannot make it to her funeral service but send our regrets to the family. All of your family members are in our prayers and thoughts during this time.
Love, Darlene and Lynn Harnly, Daniel and Tristan; Stephen and his family; and Kenny Jr. and his family; and Karen and her family.
Aunt lucille had a good sense of humor and she was always talking about family history. I remember when she came to Colo. to visit the family when we were young. also when she traveled to denver for her Youngest and last brother’s funeral. She and her two sisters and Our brother’s wife Violet, posed for photos and they just went together so well, all these white headed young looking weomen. They gave the rest of the family so much enjoyment at that memeorial, remembering all the mischief and good times thay had in times past. We had to make sure Aunt lucile arrived at the airport okay and departed the same way. it was a special time for all of us and she sure did enjoy herself. She was loved and will be missed.
When I was growing up in eastern Colorado Uncle Orval and Aunt Lucille along with Debbie used to visit in the summer. They would always bring cherries! We had the best time, visiting and visiting. The family that lived near by would alway get together for at least one meal. Aunt Lucille and Mom would cook, cook, and cook. I will always cherish those days. Virda, Elaine and Debbie all of you remember your cherished days, no one can take those away. God will comfort you better than anyone else….praying for your comfort. Love all of you girls, take care, Ginger
May God hold you all in his comforting arms.
Mrs. Lair was a lovely lady and great neighbor growing up.
My condolences to the Lair family.
Mrs. Lair was very kind and sweet to me. My memories of her are great. I know she was very proud of her daughters.
My sincere condolences to her friends and family.
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your loved one. She will be missed by all.
Dear Cousin, we were delighted in knowing you and miss your presence. You were always a joy.
I send my greatest condolences to Virda, Elaine, Deborah and their families.
Your Mother was a wonderful, loving and sharing person. I will miss her greatly. We totally enjoyed the family histories together.
She left enough wonderful memories, for all who knew her, to enjoy forever.
My prayers are with your families.
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Anna Lucille Lair