Blanche Mallard

Blanche P. Mallard, 93, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2015, with her loving family by her side. Our beautiful mother was born Sept. 25, 1922, in Girard, Ga., to Lawton and Fairbelle Powell, as the ninth of 13 children.

In spite of the uncertain times in the country, Blanche enjoyed a happy childhood within a large, close knit family. She graduated from Girard High School where she was a good student, enjoying many activities and excelling in basketball.

After graduation, she went to work at the Augusta Arsenal in support of the War effort. She was our family's "Rosie the Riveter."

During these times, she enjoyed horseback riding in an area we know as the Augusta National Golf Course. She had many fond memories of those rides, which she relived each April during Master's Week.

Her southern charm won the heart of Roy Mallard, an Officer in the U.S. Air Corps, who had recently returned home from the War in the Pacific. They were married April 4, 1947 in Girard.

Blanche, Roy and their two young sons, transferred numerous times while Roy served our Country as an aviator in the Air Force. In 1954, the family, now with three sons, transferred to Mountain Home, Idaho.

Blanche was a fabulous homemaker with home cooked southern style meals and desserts. Christmas was especially enjoyable with all of her baked goodies keeping the family dentist, Dr. John Bideganeta, quite busy.

She was a supporting and nurturing mother. She was completely devoted to the welfare and development of her children. Serving as President of the PTA, Den Mother, Room Mother, Rainbow Girl Chaperone, attending countless sporting events, piano and dance recitals and scouting events. She was very much a part of the fiber of her community and neighborhood with many dear friends.

Blanche was an active gardener of vegetables and flowers, in particular her roses, and engaged her children in soil activities at a young age. During this time, her husband served many overseas deployments.

These absences were for extended periods of time requiring Blanche to rely on her faith and tenacity in managing a brood of five that had been blessed with the addition of twin girls. Cross country road trips to Georgia were almost an annual event to visit family and enjoy the Deep South.

Roy passed away in 1974. Blanche never remarried, focusing all of her time and energy on her children.

Blanche worked for Ron Ross at the Elmore County Assessor's office during the 70s and 80s -- a job she enjoyed immensely. After retirement, she moved to Boise to be closer to her family and became a full-time grandmother, helping raise her precious grandchildren. She often traveled to visit her children living out of state.

Blanche was a long time member of the First Congregational Church of Mountain Home. Her faith, character and values were strong.

Her spiritual beliefs and family were always first. She was most proud that all five children graduated from College and were leading productive lives.

Blanche is survived by her five children and their spouses, Herb (Sherry) and Jesse/Garland (Diana) of Boise; Steve (Brenda) of Meridian; Tam (Randy) Johnson of Canehill, Ark.; and Pam (Kenny) McClure of Manteca, Calif. She has 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents and siblings, and treasured friends Kaye Blakely and Dorothy Lambeth.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org in recognition of Roy's early passing. You may join the family in honoring her life at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home, Idaho, at 11 a.m. Dec. 9, 2015.