Vera Mae Blake

Vera Mae Blake died Saturday, December 22, 2007 at RTA Hospice and Palliative Care in Lakeside just 2 days shy of her 92nd birthday. She was born on December 24, 1915 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Sherman and Elner (Walker) Collins. She moved to McNary, Arizona in 1942 with her husband, Ben Lee Blake, and worked in the molding department at the big saw mill. She also worked as a domestic, however, her greatest joy came from providing worms for fisherman, and was affectionately known as the "Worm Lady" by the anglers. She was an excellent piano player, teaching herself to play by ear. She played for church services and could also play a good ""Boogie-Woogie." She will be missed by many, but non more than her family whom she leaves to cherish her memory. She is survived by her sons: Benjie Earl Blake of Ann Arobr, Michigan, Freddie Blake (Debra) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Lee Bennie Blake of Dallas, Texas; 4 grandchildren: Desiree Blake (Christopher Puckett), Patsy Jones, Sheila Jones, Andre Andrews; 9 great-grandchildren: Zoe Taalib, Sheria Washington, Raquel Washington, Andre Andrews, II, Nicholas Andrews, Darrien Andrews, Sierra Andrews, Asheria Andrews and Tamira Hatten. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Lee Blake in 1990 as well as her sister, Gustave Collins. The funeral service for Vera will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 5, 2008 at the Woodland Ward Chapel (off of Bucksprings Road in the Pinetop Countryclub) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where the visitation and viewing will be one hour prior.