Jan. 19, 2000
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The end of an era came to a sad and sudden halt Tuesday with the death of Beulah Blankenship, known to nearly three decades of Washington State University athletes as the "cookie lady."
Blankenship, 74, and her husband Dwayne, wheat farmers from Washtucna who moved to Pullman four years ago, were fixtures at just about every athletic event since the 1960's, including countless away events. She died Tuesday at the Whitman Hospital and Medical Center from flu complications.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Jan. 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the Simpson Methodist Church of Pullman.
"The Cougars just lost a great one," commented long-time WSU Sports Information Director Dick Fry, who authored "The Crimson and the Grey - 100 Years of Cougar Athletics." Fry's comments were echoed by everyone who knew the super supportive Blankenships, who were original Martin Stadium Builders in 1972.
Beulah was known in her home area for the delicious chocolate chip cookies she baked and also for the extensive scrapbooks she once kept on Cougar athletic teams.
Rick Dickson, WSU Athletic Director: "There isn't an athletic department anywhere in the country with fans more loyal and dedicated as Beulah and her husband Dwayne. Beulah had a heart of gold that touched so many of our people and brought smiles to the faces of so many athletes."
George Raveling, former WSU Men's Basketball Coach: "At WSU during my tenure it was very unusual to have boosters travel with the team at their own expense. She was far and away the most loyal booster we had. We didn't have a lot of fans with us and she was always up in the stands rooting for our kids. Even in a 30 point loss Beulah always found a way to say it wasn't as bad as I thought. She was just a very special lady."
Cindy Fredrick, Head Volleyball Coach: "I think everybody has a special place in their heart for Beulah. For volleyball, for us she had so much spirit and cared so much for the student athlete and Cougar athletics. On the lighter side, for me, there will be no one who makes chocolate chip cookies like Beulah. We will all miss her laughter and always present support she gave us."
The following release was issued Wednesday by the Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax:
Funeral services for Beulah Myrtle Sullivan Blankenship, a Pullman resident, will be held Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. in Simpson Methodist Church of Pullman, Wash., with Rev. Byron Travis officiating. Internment will be held at the Ritzville City Cemetery at a later date.
Beulah died at the Whitman Hospital & Medical Center Jan. 18, 2000, at the age of 74. She was born May 9, 1925, at Paha, Washington, to George & Hazel Long Sullivan. She was raised and educated in the Washtucna area, graduating from Washtucna High School in 1943. She was married to Dwayne Blankenship May 6, 1945. She made the Washtucna area her home all of her life until moving to Pullman four years ago.
Beulah was a member of the Washtucna Community Church. She enjoyed all of the athletic events involving the WSU Cougars. Beulah was a former member of the Washtucna School PTA, the Washtucna Alumni Association, and an active member of the Endicott Quilt Club.
Surviving is her husband Dwayne Blankenship of Pullman, six children: Audrey Blankenship-Wilson and Dwayne Blankenship, both of Pullman, Perry Blankenship and Scott Blankenship, both of Washtucna, Dan Blankenship and Brett Blankenship, both of Ritzville, 11 grandchildren, three brothers, Daniel Blankenship of Lenore, Idaho, and Sydney Blankenship and Clark Blankenship, both of Washtucna.
The family suggests memorials to the WSU Foundation.