Virginia (Brownlee) Blake

Mother Virginia  Blake was born to the late Will and Maggie Beatrice Thomas Brownlee on April 27, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama. She departed this life on April 19, 2020, in Jamaica, New York. 

She was married to the late Rev. John E. Blake, Sr., and to this union twelve children were born. She received her education from Birmingham School   System. 

She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Triumph Smith Temple under the leadership of Prince Floyd Johnston. Some years later, she moved to New York City and united in fellowship with Full Gospel  Mission Church of God in Christ where the late Bishop Jerome Norman was pastor. She remained until ill health. Mother Blake shared her love for God with everyone she met. Her involvement with the church included her devotion to the Mother’s Board, teaching Sunday School and assisting with feeding programs in the community. 

She was a Home Health Aide and retired after thirty-five years of  service. She was preceded in death by three children: Barbara, Adrian and Lois Blake; five sisters: Brooksie Neal, Angie Brown, Elizabeth Dickerson, Willie Mae Tinsley, and  Louise Cowan; five brothers: Charlie, Virgil, Bobby, William and Robert Brownlee.

She leaves to celebrate her life, one sister: Eunice Brownlee, Orlando, FL; one brother: Shelton Brownlee, Tuscaloosa, AL; five daughters: Shirley Broadnax, Astoria, Ny, Naomi Perkins, Mary and Marilyn Blake, Birmingham, AL, Frances Sims, Montgomery, AL; four sons: Rev. John Jr., and Batista Blake, Birmingham, AL, Superintendent Ronald Blake, Denver, CO, and Michael Blake, Woodhaven, NY; 29 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

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