Blanche Graddy, daughter of George and Etta Yocham, was born on May 22, 1925 in Oakland, Arkansas. Blanche went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 2, 2014 at the age of 89. Blanche was united in marriage to Buford Graddy on August 22, 1948 in Flippin, Arkansas. The couple spent 63 happy years together.
She is survived by her two sons, George (wife Dotty) of Springfield, MO, Joe (wife Pam) of Germantown, TN; four grandchildren, Jennifer Newman (husband John) of Springfield, MO; Sarah Tobin (husband Patrick) of Centerton, AR; Matthew Graddy and Michael Graddy both of Germantown, TN. Blanche enjoyed spending time with her four great grandchildren: Connor, Alyssa, Liam, and Aiden.
Blanche is preceded in death by her husband, Buford Graddy; sisters Ila Dean Payne, Sue Dunn, and Bobbie Williams; brothers Murphy Yocham, Dale Yocham, and little George Yocham, who died in infancy. She is survived by two sisters; Betty Sherman (Joe) of Weaubleau, MO, and Cathy Lile (Earl) of Springfield, MO; and sister-in-law Judy (Allen) Quackenbush of Springfield, MO. Blanche is also survived by a lifelong friend, Thelma Cohen of Springfield, MO.
Blanche earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Counseling Education from the University of Central Arkansas. She also earned a master’s degree in Elementary Administration from Drury University in Springfield. Blanche was a teacher at Ed V. Williams and Bingham Elementary Schools prior to becoming the Principal of Pepperdine Elementary School in Springfield, MO. Blanche was also an outstanding Principal at Warren Dupree Elementary School in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
Blanche was an active member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), whose primary focus is to provide educational opportunities to women worldwide. She was also a member of the American Business Women’s Association and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Her hobbies were sewing, making cross stitch quilts for family and friends, gardening, and cooking in which she won an award while residing in Texas. Blanche was a faithful member of Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church in Springfield. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Friday, December 5th, 2014 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO. Visitation will be held between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church, 722 W. Atlantic Street, Springfield, MO 65803, (417) 866-0894.