Obituaries

Blanche Suthmer

Blanche Myrtle Hawk Suthmer, age 100, of Harker Heights, Texas, (formerly of Little Rock, Ark.) passed away on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. She leaves a world in which she had an influence on everyone she met to join her beloved Heavenly Father. What a life she led, and what a joy for life she shared! Born on Nov. 18, 1916, in Walnut Grove, Mo., to Marion Avaline Looney Hawk and Walter Samuel Hawk. The third of nine children, she was raised in a family that put an emphasis on love, education, and hard work. Blanche entertained us all with stories from her childhood about her family and friends, especially her brothers and sisters. Her sense of humor and ability to captivate an audience with her smile and genuine laugh will be greatly missed! Her reunion with loved ones who preceded her in Heaven are surely rejoicing in Blanche's arrival. Preceding Blanche was her husband Kenneth Dale Suthmer; grandson, Daniel Reid Seavey; parents; two sisters, Leah Noel (Jack) and Rachel Hawkins (Paul); four brothers, Lawrence Hawk, Robert Hawk (Grace), Ralph Hawk (Lucille), and Bill Hawk (Geraldine); son-in-law, Donald James Allbritton, and many dear friends. A boy who called on Blanche's sister, Leah, brought a friend, Kenneth Suthmer, to the Hawk farm. The two were introduced before Kenneth joined the Army on June 17, 1941. Kenneth was stationed in San Luis Obspo, Calif. Having already started her teaching career in Missouri, she moved to Alluwe, Okla. to live with her sister Rachel and her husband Paul. She continued to teach in Oklahoma while attending Southwest Missouri State Teacher's College and earning her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. Kenneth returned while on leave in 1943. The two were married on May 8, 1943 (his birthday). Kenneth would be deployed to New Guinea and the Philippines. When Kenneth returned from the war, the two settled in Fayetteville, Ark. Blanche earned her Master of Education degree, while Kenneth earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. Blanche would eventually teach for 15 years in the Fayetteville School District and also serve as faculty at the University of Arkansas. Kenneth went to work in the poultry industry, read the farm report on the local radio station, and taught extension classes at the U of A. While establishing herself as a master teacher in Fayetteville, Blanche gave birth to two beautiful, wonderful girls: Sally Sue (1951) and Nancy Lou (1953). In 1960, they moved to Little Rock, Ark. Kenneth went to work for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as a land appraiser. Blanche went back to work as a teacher in the Little Rock School District (Franklin and Oakhurst Elementary Schools). She valued education, and throughout her 40 year career she was recognized for her dedication to helping kids learn by book publishers, teaching associations, and the state department of education. She served as an adjunct professor of Education at University of Arkansas Little Rock. As a cooperating teacher, she trained over 40 student teachers from UALR in her career. When she retired in 1985, she had touched the lives of hundreds of people. It was impossible to go to McDonald's, the grocery store, or Franke's Cafeteria without seeing someone she knew. Kenneth passed away unexpectedly in 1969. Both girls went off to college and earned their degrees. Blanche continued to teach and she never slowed down! She and Kenneth had made wonderful friends in Little Rock and the Oak Forest neighborhood. She was an Elder at Parkview Christian Church. She cared for widows and shut-ins in her neighborhood. She walked miles daily (living up to her nickname "Legs".) She doted on her grandchildren. She took them to plays, the library, and their baseball games. She taught them to read and to value education. Blanche loved music! The fiddle (her father played) was one of her favorite instruments. She would listen to opera, Bob Wills, The Benny Goodman Orchestra, and Willie Nelson. She played the piano and sang to her grandkids. She cooked and would never sit down while others ate. She always had a new Bonneville to drive. Her house was always immaculate, as was her yard. Blanche enjoyed traveling. Some of her favorite memories were to Pensacola Beach with Kenneth and the girls, camping at Lake Ouachita, and trips to Walnut Grove. She lived a full life. Her appreciation of success, humor, and people will be missed. Survivors include the following: Two daughters, Sally Allbritton and Nancy Suthmer; two brothers, Jim Hawk (Bernice) and Dan Hawk (Janet); granddaughter-in-law, Leah Seavey; grandchildren, Joseph Allbritton (Kristin), James Allbritton (Chantel), and John Allbritton; great-grandchildren, Sarah Grace Allbritton, Anna Faith Allbritton, Katie Jo Allbritton, Forest James Allbritton, Lulani Brooke Allbritton, Lindsey Louise Seavey, and Aaron James Seavey. Special thanks to Nancy, Leah, Lindsey and Aaron for the love and care given to Grandma Blanche over the last six years! Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Walnut Grove, Mo. Graveside service will be Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 at 10 a.m., in Greene Lawn Cemetery, Walnut Grove, Mo.

Published August 21, 2017

Upcoming Events