Mary Pearl Blandford

Mary Pearl Blandford, 92, of Owensboro, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Bon Harbor Nursing Facility after a brief illness. A resident of the Carmel Home since 1999, Mary Pearl was preceded in death by her first husband of 31 years, Joseph Guy Clark, in 1962 and an infant son, Thomas Guy; by her second husband of 8 years, Joseph Bertrand Russell, in 1974; and in 1990 by her third husband of 14 years, Joseph E. Blandford.

Mary Pearl was preceded in death by three brothers; Joseph (Philomena, deceased) Elder, Edward (Lillian) Elder of Mt. Carmel, IL, John (Mary Catherine) Elder of Owensboro, as well as by one sister, Henrietta Risley (Kenneth) Whitehouse of Florida. She is survived by three brothers and their wives, Walter (Susan) Elder, Richard (Bonnie) Elder, Clarence (Carmen) Elder, and one sister and her husband, Ernestine (John F.) Jones, all of Owensboro.

Surviving the first marriage are five sons and their wives, Joseph Henry (Irene) Clark of Sacramento, CA, James Donald (Hallie Ann) Clark of Bardstown, KY, Kenneth Anthony (Donna) Clark of Big Fork, MT, Richard Leo (Joyce) Clark of Augusta, GA, Mark Earl (Thomasina) Clark of Louisville, KY; and four daughters and their husbands, Mary Ruth (Martin L.) Bumm, Sr., of Owensboro, Anna Joyce (Carroll) Ferguson of Owensboro, Mary Lois (Jack, deceased) Brackin of Owensboro, and Betty Ann (Robert) Kooris of Cincinnati, OH. The extended Clark family includes 29 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

The Russell union increased Mary Pearls children by six stepsons and their wives, the now deceased Gerald (Liz) Russell of Texas, Donald (Norma) Russell of Louisville, James B. (Rita) Russell of Owensboro, Frank (Doreen) Russell of Owensboro, Joseph (Barbi) Russell of New York and Thomas (Betty, deceased), Russell of Lafayette, IN, and one step-daughter and her husband, Mary Jane (Joseph) Clark of Owensboro. The extended Russell family includes 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

The Blandford marriage expanded Mary Pearls family with the addition of three step-sons and their wives, Donald (Jane) Blandford of Philpot, now deceased Gerald (Doris) Blandford of Owensboro, and Thomas (Helen) Blandford Shawnee, KS, plus two step-daughters and their husbands, Diane (Byron) Lane of Owensboro, and Julia (Nick) Graziano of Englewood, NJ. The extended Blandford family includes 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, June 14, 2004, at Immaculate Catholic Church, with burial in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:00 until 8:00 PM Sunday, with prayers at 6:00 PM at Glenn Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Carmel Home, 2501 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY, 42303.

Everyone who knew Pearl was touched by her kindness, uplifted by her laughter and enriched by her zest for life. She will truly be missed!