ANTIOCH — Lois Jean Blair first heard Elvis Presley on the radio when she was 14 and thought he was the very best singer she’d ever heard. However the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” has been greater than only a musician, he’s been a lifelong companion – even by means of her darkest occasions.
Blair has collected Elvis memorabilia for many years, together with collector plates, a life-size statue, puzzles, posters, blankets, bottles, and a Christmas home that performs his vacation tunes. Her great-grandson was additionally named Presley in honor of the music legend.
“My son says he’s walking in a museum (when he visits me),” stated the 85-year-old Antioch resident.
Blair’s household understood her love for Elvis.
“We knew it’s her thing, so every time we needed to get her presents, it would be something related to Elvis,” stated her daughter, Lynn Blair.
Whereas Blair’s love for “The King” has remained sturdy over time, her well being has not too long ago declined.
Blair was recognized with breast most cancers in 2022. She was in remission for 2 years till it returned and the most cancers unfold to her neck, head, and different elements of her physique. Then, Blair was recognized with Stage 4 most cancers.
Now, she’s again within the hospital attributable to pneumonia and Valley fever, additional weakening her well being.
Her daughter, Lynn Blair, stated her mom, who has all the time had an upbeat spirit, was feeling down, one thing the household was not used to experiencing.
“She thought she was going to die. She was talking about dying. We got really scared,” stated Blair’s daughter.
Determined to carry her spirits, the household turned to somebody they knew might deliver again the spark in her eyes: Elvis, or moderately, the following neatest thing.
The household reached out to James Clark, an Elvis impersonator within the Bay Space, to see if he might go to Lois Blair within the hospital. Clark had come to know Blair as she is an everyday at his reveals at Cap’s Restaurant in Brentwood.
Through the years, the duo turned Fb buddies. So, when Lynn Blair reached out to Clark, he didn’t hesitate.
Taking part in each bit the a part of Elvis – together with white bellbottoms, a jacket, and a shawl – Clark shocked Lois Blair on Wednesday morning at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Heart.
“I’m still up high in the sky. I can’t believe they did it,” Blair advised this information group.
Her son, Ross Blair, stated his mom was moved to tears when she described her day in a telephone name with him.
“It was exactly what she needed right now, with all that she’s going through,” stated Ross Blair, who lives in Georgia.
Clark spent about an hour with Lois Blair. He serenaded her together with her all-time favourite, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” a tune that reminds her of her late husband, Donald Blair, whom she misplaced in a automotive accident 25 years in the past.
Largely, although, the duo talked about Elvis and life. Clark even introduced a large teddy bear and candies for her.
“Lois has been coming to my shows, and I realized right away that she’s a huge fan. When the family contacted me, they wanted to pay me, but I said no,” stated Clark. “Lois is so dedicated, and I wanted to do this for the family, and it was a really nice visit.”
Clark, who has been an Elvis impersonator since 1996, stated he has executed related appearances at VA hospitals and finds the experiences spiritually rewarding, leaving followers and their family members with useful recollections.
Blair has seen Elvis carry out stay 4 occasions. Her most cherished reminiscence was when her husband shocked her with front-row seats in Las Vegas for a present in 1970.
Lynn Blair stated her dad and mom have been married in Might of 1970, and her father took her mother to the present throughout his birthday in August. Through the efficiency, Elvis handed Lois Blair one among his iconic scarves, however somebody snatched it away. Elvis, who noticed this, went backstage and obtained a shawl along with his identify and signed it.
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“He handed it to me and kissed me on my forehead,” stated Blair. “He even wiped his forehead with it.”
That scarf has been one among Blair’s treasured memorabilia. She stated when her mom wished to border the headscarf, somebody prompt or not it’s washed, however she refused.
“‘It has Elvis’ sweat on it, I’m never washing it!’ she insisted,” Lynn Blair stated of her mom’s response.
The Blairs even shocked Lois with a household trip and went to Graceland, the place they stayed on the well-known Heartbreak Resort and toured Elvis’ residence. Additionally they visited his hometown.
Lynn Blair stated the household deliberate one other journey subsequent month however was pressured to cancel attributable to Lois Blair’s well being situations.
The household hopes Blair will probably be discharged from the hospital quickly and proceed recovering within the consolation of her own residence.
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