Sally Blythe

Surrounded by her children, Ethel “Sally” Blythe passed away at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS on September 23, 2022.  She was 99 years old.

Sally joined the Women’s Army Air Corp during World War II.  After Basic Training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, she worked as a Control Tower Operator at several air fields in Texas:  Shepard Field, Wichita Falls; Biggs Field, El Paso; Midland Field, Midland; Kelly Field and Randolph Field, San Antonio. 

Sally met and married her husband, Billie, when they were both stationed at Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX.  She followed her husband around the world while he was in the Air Force.  They lived in Shemya, Alaska; Tinker Field, Oklahoma; Johnson AFB, Japan; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Wheelus Field AFB, Tripoli, Libya; and Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, Texas. 

After Billie retired from the Air Force, they lived in Gulfport, MS; Houston, TX; and Lake Charles, LA.  During this time Sally proofread and typed textbooks at Keesler AFB; worked at the Houston VA in the legal department; and worked at Clay’s Marine in Lake Charles, Louisiana as a clerk in charge of bookkeeping and payroll.  They then retired to Long Beach, MS and eventually moved into the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS.

Sally was an active member of the Elks #978 Ladies Auxiliary, serving in various offices, including two terms as president.  She was involved with multiple philanthropic endeavors, including the scholarship fund.  Sally spent happy years with the Elks Mardi Krewe and was Queen Fidelity XXXVIII in 2002.

Sally had many interests and hobbies, such as ceramics, crafts, and reading.  She loved to travel with her husband, visiting all 50 states.  Sally was a member of the Red Hats group Scarlett Huzzies.

At the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Sally volunteered in any capacity there was a need, working behind the scenes to make sure things ran smoothly.  She received The President’s Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer hours.  As one of the 2013 Veteran Calendar Girls, Sally was Miss January.  Through the sale of the calendars, they raised $20,000 for Feed My Sheep.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Billie Blythe; son, William “Drew” Blythe, Sr.; and two grandsons, Scott Blythe and William “Drew” Blythe, Jr.  She was also preceded by her parents, John and Alma Stoner; siblings Stephen “Buck” Stoner, Irma Fean, Alma Carson, Charles Stoner, and Robert Stoner. 

Sally is survived by her son, Robert (Margie) Blythe of Allen, TX; and daughters, Janet Herren of Long Beach, MS and Beverly (Denzil) Frymier of Vernon Hills, IL.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel, Gulfport. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Army. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Blythe family.

In lieu of flowers, Sally would like you to contribute to the aid and support of abused women, through the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence.  Donations can be made through the mail to: PO Box 333, Biloxi, MS  39533 or online at: gccfn.org.  Another organization dear to her is the de L’Epee Deaf Center.  Contributions can be mailed to: 1450 North Street, Gulfport, MS  39507 or online at: deafcenter.org.