Charis Irene Meynig Blazek, 88, of Beaumont, died Friday, December 25, 2015 at Pelican Bay Assisted Living, Beaumont. She was born on April 14, 1927, in Beaumont, to Ruth Overbay Meynig and Cecil Meynig.
She graduated from South Park High School in 1944. Charis was a Greenie Cadet and credited the many hours of quick steps in the drum and bugle corps for her extraordinary stamina in later life. While still in high school during World War II, she worked after school every evening until almost midnight at Bell Telephone Company as an operator to facilitate wartime communications. She was extremely proud of her contribution to the war effort. Charis graduated from Lamar College in 1946 with an associate of arts in journalism. She later worked at Mobil Refinery in Beaumont for many years in an administrative capacity for several different departments but especially enjoyed her time in the marine and the medical department.
Charis married Frank Joseph Blazek, Jr. in 1948. He was the love of her life and they were inseparable for sixty-five years before he passed away in 2013. Before they retired, Charis and Frank loved to spend time together on their sailboat and were members of the Power Squadron and the Port Arthur Yacht Club. After retiring, they enjoyed traveling all over America.
Charis was a wonderful cook, and her family loved her shrimp gumbo, cornbread, biscuits, chocolate cake, pecan pralines, and cherry dream pies. She was a kind and giving person who loved people and animals alike. She always had a hug and encouraging words for anyone, even if it was someone she passed at the grocery store. Charis had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit that made everyone laugh.
She had lived at Pelican Bay Assisted Living Center in Beaumont since September of 2013, and was popular with both residents and staff. Despite being burdened with macular degeneration and Alzheimer's, she kept her cheerful demeanor and good humor, and met everyone with a smile. She especially liked the musical programs at Pelican Bay, and sang along with all of the old songs. Charis was very fond of two of her aides, Mamie Zenn and Susan Barnwell, and the family expresses their deep gratitude to them for their kind and loving care of Charis. The family also wishes to thank the management and staff of Pelican Bay, Synergy HomeCare, and Texas Home Health Hospice for their expert and compassionate care of Charis.
Survivors include son, Joey Blazek and his wife, Paula Heirtzler Blazek, of Beaumont; daughter, Laurie Blazek Easter and her husband, Jim Easter, of Houston; granddaughters, Jessica Easter of Houston and Allison Easter of Boulder, Colorado; nieces, Barbara Meynig Batey, Marcelyn Meynig Bruce, Linda Barnes Waddell, and Pam Barnes Immenhauser; nephews, Don Meynig, Marne Meynig, Jr., and Scott Meynig; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank J. Blazek, Jr.; siblings, Marne Meynig, Sr., Cecil Meynig and Wilma Meynig Fowler; niece, Peggy Meynig Russell; and nephew, Richard Barnes.
A gathering of Mrs. Blazek’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 700 North Street Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
