Leda M. Blair, 86

Funeral services for Leda M. (Howard) Blair, 86, of Elk Creek, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m that day at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ball Cemetery.

She died Dec. 6, after entering hospice care with stage four heart disease. She was born Sept. 29, 1939, in Ozark County, to Esta M. (Smith) Howard and Clarence Howard. Mrs. Blair lost her sight a few years ago but had accomplished many things. She graduated from Business College, which in turn gave her a position with McDonnell Douglas for approximately 25 years as a data processor. She could type 98 words per minute. She was a very crafty person; painting with oils and giving lessons in her basement, crocheting, and quilting, achieving awards for 18 years at Hootin an Hollarin from 2000-2018. She gave freely to multiple charities. She had a great sense of humor. She was a great listener; the family jokingly called her the family psychiatrist. Leda encouraged every one of her children to follow God and pursue a life following Christ. She was a true treasure in our lives and will be greatly missed and loved.

She is survived by her husband, Melvin T. Blair; four children: Gail Y. (Blair) Baker and husband Jim, S. Jeffery Blair and wife Shari (Lawerence), Gwendolyn R. (Blair) McLain and husband Darryl and Brian E. Blair and wife Karen Diamond; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.  Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com.