Yesterday was your birthday. You would have been 64. Sammy, Dennis and I missed celebrating the day. You were in our thoughts only. No cake, no presents. Life goes on. I miss seeing your smiling face and hearing that wonderful laugh. I love you. Lorraine
Dear Lorraine, Vicki, Mrs Geraldine Blair, and Tom Adkins:
My name is Mary Sharp and I am a close friend of Les (Bubba) and Lorraine Blair. Les and Lorraine have been like members of our famly and have shared many moments in our lives and the lives of our sons, Daniel and Kevin. Les was a wonderful, special, devoted, and caring son to his momma, Geraldne Blair. He visited her regularly after work at her home and visited her frequently at the assisted living facility she resides in and the staff there knew him well. He demonstrated his love for her on a daily basis. As he got sicker, his visits were less frequent but his love for his momma was great and steadfast. He loved his sister, Vicki, deeply and they shared a special closeness, a special bond that his untimely death cannot erase. Vicki and her daughter, Terrie, enjoyed many good times with Les and were there with Les in the tough times at the end of his meaningful, well-lived life. May memories of Les always be with you and May God comfort you during this sorrowful time. I remember when Les came into Lorraine's life. He brought a special joy, love and constant devotion. They had a wonderful and inspiring marriage, laughed together, sometimes cried together, created a special home, traveled throughout the state and the country visiting and learning about beautiful and interesting places and things, and grew older together spending time with family and friends, including family in Pittsburgh and here in Virginia. Lorraine and Les's family, I know it does not seem real and it does not seem fair, but Lorraine, your life together and your marriage was blessed and so special and I know that Les will live on forever in your treasured memories, many of them reflected in the pictures that we saw around the room yesterday. For those of us who were lucky to call Les a friend, especially Tom, his long-time best friend, Les would give you the shirt off his back. He sometimes had a gruff exterior but he was always kind and caring. He could be very serious but he knew how to laugh and have fun. We are lucky to have spent time with him on this earth and to have known him. We will all miss him and cherish our memories of him. Les was an avid hunter and he once told me how much he loved spending time early on cool, peaceful autumn mornings in a tree stand or in the woods with the sun starting to appear over the horizon. His suffering is over, he is at peace now, an he is up above all of us in that tree stand (or beautiful backyard gazebo) in heaven blessing us with his legacy of kindness and wonderful memories. We love you, Les.
Lorraine,
I am so glad I had the chance to meet Les and get to see all of his wonderful qualities. His warm smile, great sense of caring about others, and his charming accent all helped to make him such a wonderful person. I hope you hold all of the special memories of the times you two shared close in your heart.
With Love, Nancy
Although my mother and I never had the pleasure of meeting Les, it was immediately apparent to us what a wonderful man he was. Through stories told by loved ones and the pictures presented, we could tell that Les was well loved and had a great sense of humor as well as was a wonderful person. He will be missed and I know that he will always be with you in spirit.
Aunt Lorraine, you took good care of uncle Les. I know you will miss him very much. I hope your many memories of him and together with family and friends will be some comfort to you. See you soon.