Murrel Arthur Blake
Funeral services for Murrel Arthur Blake, 92, of Many will be held at the First Baptist Church of Many on Tuesday, October 4th at 10AM. Visitation will precede the funeral starting at 9AM also at First Baptist Church of Many. The Rev. Keith Dowden of Pine Hill Baptist Church in Leesville and the Rev. Bo Owens of First Baptist Many will preside at the service with music by Francis Hopkins and David and Susan Carnline. Arrangements are under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
Mrs. Blake died on October 1st at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation in Many, where she resided since 2018. She will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, beside her beloved husband.
Murrel Arthur was born on March 12, 1930 in Florien to Howard and Anna Etna Stewart Arthur. She and her twin brother, Earl, were welcomed by an older sister, Ruth Manning Leach. Her twin died in 2018.
A quiet young lady, she attended Florien schools and worked on the yearbook staff in high school. She attended Toro Baptist Church and was baptized in Toro Creek. Following graduation from Florien High in 1947, she began her first job at Morgan & Lindsey in Many.
After some time, she decided to enroll at the Many Trade School to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She graduated in 1949 and began a career at Fraser Hospital, under the watchful eye of Head Nurse Evelyn Dees.
On September 2, 1950 she married John Joseph Blake Jr., who had returned to Many in 1946 following his military service in World War II in the Army Air Force. Upon his return to civilian life, Blake began working for his father, John Joseph Blake Sr., at Peoples State Bank.
The young couple settled into married life and the new Mrs. Blake gave up nursing to become a fulltime wife and mother. Mr. Blake devoted many hours to his career and came up through the ranks from teller to president, following the death of his father. Blake served as president of Peoples State Bank from 1967-1984. He died February 28, 1992.
Throughout their life together, Mrs. Blake took great pride in being a bank president’s wife. She raised three children, Cynthia Ann, John Joseph III and Mary Elizabeth, ran a household and was active in the First Baptist Church of Many. Her children were raised in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
At age 30, Mr. Blake decided it was time for her to learn how to drive a car. With their son in the back seat, they headed for the farm, where the lessons began and were a success. However, she preferred being at home. Her son recalled, in later years, that she had a daily routine. She’d go to the Post Office daily, followed by a trip to the grocery store and church every Sunday. She enjoyed drinking coffee with her son frequently and enjoyed calls from her daughters.
Mrs. Blake was a wonderful cook. However, when she married she didn’t cook at all! Her mother-in-law, Jessie Miller Blake, who lived on the same block, became her mentor in the kitchen.
Her son recalled that she would cook for weeks in preparation for holiday dinners. Her table was always set to perfection and every year she worried that the turkey was a little dry. It never was! Her chocolate pies and banana pudding will be greatly missed.
Family was always first, according to Mrs. Blake. She loved her family and was protective of her children. She always reminded them to bundle up when going outside so they wouldn’t get sick.
When the children went off to school, her day began—making a hot lunch for her husband, cleaning the house, and feeding the family’s English Bulldog, Footsie. At one time she had a cockatiel for her pet.
She enjoyed her time with friends, too. She was active in in the Rainbow Sunday School Class and the XYZ Club at First Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, yardwork and working in her flower beds. In the evenings, she enjoyed watching QVC, a shopping channel on television.
When she became a widow, she had a circle of friends that she visited and traveled with. Nell Britner, a bank employee, organized numerous trips that she enjoyed with her cousin, Geneva Lewing. Her dearest friend was Neva Dowden.
She kept busy with church and friends and always told her children she didn’t want to be burden to them. She lived alone in her home until she was 88-years-old. At that time, she enjoyed the company of sitters, Deborah Chance, Clarie Crittenden, and for a period of time Marcia Rash, who came in the daytime. Their services were a comfort for the family. In 2018, she became a resident of Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center.
She is survived by three children, Cynthia Blake Funderburk; John Joseph Blake III and wife, Sharon and Mary Elizabeth Motes and husband, Steve; nine grandchildren, Allen Funderburk and wife Stacey, Todd Funderburk and wife Brandy, Katie Funderburk, Whitney Blake Wimer and husband, Travis; Allie Blake Byrd and husband, Curtis; John Joseph Blake IV (Jack); Callie Pedersen and husband, Roy; Tyler Motes and Trevor Motes. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, Kelsey Funderburk, Landen Funderburk, Tanner Funderburk, Beckett Wimer, Bronson Wimer, Waylon Byrd, Sam Byrd, Luke Byrd, Noah Pederson, Axel Pedersen and Josie Pedersen.
Mrs. Blake was a true Steel Magnolia. She was a kind, beautiful woman, who was devoted to her church and family.
The family expresses sincere thanks to Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation as well as Superior Hospice for the compassionate care and love given to Mrs. Blake and family members.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church of Many, or offerings/ stipends for mass intentions for Murrel Arthur Blake can be sent to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
