Beryl Ellen Blevins

Beryl Ellen Smith Blevins, 92, of Highland, KS died September 2, 2025 at Vintage Park in Hiawatha, KS, surrounded by Nolan and her three daughters. She was born on August 15, 1933 in Highland, KS, to George H. Smith and Lillie Mae Dorrell Smith.

Beryl married her high school sweetheart, Nolan Blevins, on February 6, 1954 at the Highland Presbyterian Church, in Highland, KS. One of their many memories was upon return from a honeymoon in Colorado, they had twelve dollars to spare, so they went shopping to stock their cabinets in what was a renovated chicken house where they made their first home. A few years later they moved to the farm west of Highland where they cherished 52 years of farming together and raising their family. They celebrated 71 years of marriage in February 2025.

Beryl attended Highland schools, she graduated from high school in 1951. During high school she delivered milk, butter, and cream in Highland from the Smith Family Dairy Farm. She was crowned Apple Blossom Queen in 1950 in St. Joseph, MO. After graduation she attended Highland Community Junior College. Her first job was at Kansas Power and Light in the office in Highland. Soon after she was hired as a teacher at the one room school house in Fanning. Two years later she took a job with the Highland School District. She was hired as a classroom teacher, but in her years of service to the district she worked as a teacher's aide, lunchroom monitor, crosswalk monitor, and bus stop monitor. She had numerous stories from all of these jobs and many past students can tell you about her insisting they eat all their food on their plate and not horsing around in the lunchroom.

Beryl retired from the Highland School District in 1998. She was a district Home Interiors representative for many years, achieving top sales.

Beryl and Nolan enjoyed pulling their camper to Perry Lake and Indian Caves, relaxing with their family for food and fun. It seemed like every time they camped a major wind storm would hit the camping area and they would have to head to the public restrooms for cover.

As a youth she was a member of the Highland 4-H club and enjoyed showing champion Jersey cattle, raised on the Smith family dairy. She served as a 4-H leader

for the Highland 4-H club for many years, holding monthly meetings in the basement of the Blevins family home.

Beryl was active in the Highland Christian Church for many years and helped with summer Bible School with crafts and music.

Beryl enjoyed attending the children's and grandchildren's activities, including football, basketball, track, cross country meets, baseball, softball, rodeos, and 4-H fairs. She clipped every newspaper article and picture of these events and the proof is scattered throughout the house.

She will be dearly missed by her husband Nolan of the home, 3 loving daughters: Vanetta Jayne Blevins Geiger (Matt) Denton, Jo Ann Blevins McCauley (Bob) rural Leona, and Laura Kay Blevins Blanton (Jeff) Lamont, OK. She cherished her 8 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. They all loved their Grandma Beryl and will cherish their memories with her.

Other survivors are her siblings Lillie Mae Smith Ledbetter of Lawrence and George Gilbert Smith of Wathena, and numerous nieces and nephews on both her and Nolan's side of the family, along with her very best friend Mary Lou Colley.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Ellen DeAnn and her parents George and Lillie Smith.

A Celebration of Beryl's eternal life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Highland Christian Church with Tony French officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, after 11 a.m. Sunday. The family will meet with friends at the Church from 3-5 Sunday afternoon. Memorial contributions are suggested to Highland Christian Church or Highland Cemetery, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com