Ellary Ann Blair

ELLARY ANN (SCHNIDER) BLAIR

Born November 12, 1949 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota-passed away January 30, 2025 in Platte City, Missouri.

Celebration of life and memorial service to be held at 2:00 pm on February 15, 2025 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett in Emporia, Kansas.

Ellie graduated from Emporia High in 1967 and graduated from the University of Kansas in 2002 with a BFA in Design with an emphasis on Ceramics.

An accomplished 25 year, self-taught and respected crystalline potter and owner of Ellie Pots Inc. Ellie sold pottery in several art studios including in Creede, Colorado and Lawrence, Kansas. Ellie was also a master grower and gardener for 35 years in Kansas City, Lawrence and Emporia. She loved to cook, loved being a mother, loved her 3 Cavalier King Charles spaniels Gus, Chloe and Willy, and her tuxedo cat Mr. Kitty.

As quoted by Ellary Blair, “In 2002 I took up crystalline pottery and I do that exclusively.  I love this form of pottery.  I consider it the fine art of pottery.  What attracts me to it is you always get a one-of-a-kind piece.  Crystalline pottery, I feel, does not need any kind of embellishment.  That distracts from the crystals and all you notice is what is in the piece.  I feel that each piece can stand-alone and be beautiful.  I do all my own work from start to finish.”

Preceded in death by ex-husband and lifelong friend David Lee Blair, her mother Roberta Jean Raulston, father Donald Eugene Schnider, and brother Karl Wayne Schnider.

Survived by her son Christopher Lee Blair and his partner Andrew Lee Johnson of Platte City Missouri, the Blair family and best friend Lori Hudson.