Ted Blake

Ted Blake died quietly at his home, in Holbrook, Arizona following a courageous battle with prostate cancer on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. He was 98. Ted was born on April 23, 1909 in Myrtis, Louisiana to the late Nelson and Martha (Shepherd) Blake. He received his early education in Louisiana, where he completed the 7th grade. Throughout his long life, Ted understood the importance of having a good education, so at the age of 76, he went on to receive his G.E.D. while living in Holbrook. He later went on to receive his Practioners' Certificate in Nutritional Science from Austin, Texas at the age of 80! Ted met his sweetheart, Ruby Lee Hawkins, at the Boggy Baptist Church in Bethany, Louisiana and let everyone know he was going to marry her. They were, in fact, united in holy matrimony on September 28, 1933. The Blakes moved to McNary, Arizona in 1942 where Ted worked as a planer and re-saw man at the Saw Mill. While living in McNary, he became an active member of the Bloomingrove Baptist Church. A beautiful example of service to his fellow man, he served as a deacon in his church since 1945. In 1947 he moved, with his family, to Holbrook where he has since resided. He and Ruby were founding members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Holbrook and he served as its Chairman of the Deacon Board and also was secretary and treasurer for the church until 2000, when he stepped down at the age of 91. Ted retired from the Holbrook School District in 1974, after 21 years of faithful service. However, he wasn't quite ready for retirement so he opened his own television and appliance repair shop, which he ran for 11 years. He then went on to operate an aluminum and scrap metal recycling center for 4 years. Ted will be missed by his family and many friends. He was preceded in death by Ruby, his wife of nearly 70 years, in 2003; a son Wendell Blake in 1974, as well as his 14 brothers and sisters. He leaves to cherish his memory: 1 son, Wilbert Blake and wife, Pamela, of Phoenix, AZ; 4 daughters: Marva Sumbry and husband, Michael of Albuquerque, NM, Linda Renfro and husband, Porter of Orange, TX, Patricia Scott and husband, Leroy, and Mary Holly and husband, Lee, of Holbrook, AZ; 1 daughter-in-law, Teresa Blake of San Antonio, TX; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, December 28, 2007 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 803 Lewis Street in Holbrook. The Funeral Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 29, 2007 at the church. Interment will follow at The Holbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to his family have been suggested to help cover medical expenses.