Betty Jo Mabrey Blair

Betty Mabrey Blair (92) Longtime resident of Alexandria, Virginia, Betty passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday July 27, 2024. Loving wife for 69 years to the late William Preston Blair, Jr. Cherished mother to her sons Gregory Lee Blair, (Zora Flynn), Chesterfield, VA; William Preston Blair, III, Alexandria, VA and Thomas Allen Blair, Alexandria, VA; beloved sister to Charles Ray Mabrey, (Sylvia), Yuma, AZ.; Charlotte Skahan, Holly Springs, NC.; and Sue Tamer, Wise, VA. Preceded in death by her parents Charles A. Mabrey and Edith Lyle Sands Mabrey; her sisters Jane Edwards and Nancy Collier and also by a grandson, William Preston Blair, IV. Grandmother to 9 grandchildren; great-grandmother to 12 great-grandchildren. Her love and kindness will truly be remembered by everyone. Betty was born on February 5, 1932, in Clincho, Virginia. She graduated from Clincho High School in 1950 as an outstanding basketball player and carried the nickname "Bo" around the gym. She soon moved to Coeburn, Virginia where she met the love of her life and future husband "Coach" Bill Blair and were married within three weeks on November 21, 1952. After living several years in Luray and Richmond, Virginia, the family of now 5, moved to Alexandria, VA. off King St. in 1965 and shortly thereafter settled in Hayfield Farm, also in Alexandria. She worked for the Fairfax County School System for over two decades and retired in 1987. After retirement she went on to become Vice President of The Driver Improvement Program, Inc., for over 25 years, a company founded by her husband Bill and employer to all three of her sons. Betty enjoyed spending time with her sons and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and rarely forgot a birthday or Christmas present. She also enjoyed spending time in the Bingo parlor, she was an avid Bingo player...her friends named her "Bingo Betty" because she won all the time. She loved relaxing at the Beach House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and going on cruises with her husband and friends. She enjoyed playing Bridge and reading romance novels. Her favorite store was QVC. Betty was kind, loving and generous all of her life. She was a hard worker on and off the clock. Most of all she was a dedicated wife and mother. She will be forever missed but always with us in our hearts. Relatives and friends will be received Thursday, August 22, 2024, 5-8PM at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315. Graveside service Friday, August 23, 2024; 2PM at Mt. Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Hwy., Alexandria 22306. Family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or your favorite charity. [https://www.parkinson.org/].

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Betty Jo Mabrey Blair

February 5, 1932 - July 27, 2024