Mary Theresa Blake

Our family has always believed that God has a bigger purpose than we can know or can see. For this reason, when God called our mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend home on Sunday, July 9, 2006, we knew in our hearts that He had a higher calling for her.MARY THERESA (MAY T.) ROANE BLAKE, wife of the late Woodrow Wilson (Bert) Blake and the daughter of Mrs. Fannie Roane and late Thomas Croxton (Plunks) Roane, was born on February 18, 1934 in King William County, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Audrey A. Collins; a sister, Ruth E. Howell. She was educated in King William County Public Schools. She spent most of her years caring for others in the community. Mt. Olive Baptist Church, King William, Virginia was the place where she first accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She served in many capacities such as singing in the Senior Choir, Gospel Chorus, and work as a missionary in the community. Her missionary work included having a passion for helping the elderly by sitting with them and making quilts for them as well. She served as a surrogate mother to those who had experienced the loss of a parent. May T. enjoyed wearing her fancy hats and watching her soap operas daily. Everyday she sat on the sofa (and did not move) and watched All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital. In fact, many of her children and grandchildren watched these same shows daily because of the passion she had for them and for being made to watch them as well. She is also known for her strong knowledge of the family tree. Often, she would receive calls from the BBQR (our family reunion) Committee wanting to know more about our family’s history. Mary Theresa married the late Woodrow Wilson (Bert) Blake. To cherish her memory, there remains five sons, Alvin (Robin) Roane of Glen Allen, Harold Blake, Anthony Blake, Wayne Blake, and Marvin Blake, all from King William; five daughters, Ruth (Jerome) Garlick of King William, Paula Blake of New Castle, DE, Jacqueline (Benjamin F. III) Moore of King William, Carolyn Blake of King William, and Cheryle Blake of Bronx, NY; four devoted grandchildren, Tanya Roane, Jermaine Moore, Courtney Blake, and Renita Reed; four great-grandchildren; devoted mother, Fannie A. Roane of King William; devoted sister, Iris (David) Craighead of New Castle, DE; devoted brother, James (Delores) Roane of Wilmington, DE; devoted cousin, Dorothy Mae Roane who sat with her daily along with other devoted cousins; one aunt, Lou Anna Gaines; son-in-law, David Collins; three sisters-in-law, two foster sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, amongst them two devoted friends, Joyce Moore, and Elizabeth Claiborne.

Tributes

Mary Theresa Blake

February 18, 1934 - July 9, 2006