Kelley Arline Blake passed away May 1, 2024 surrounded by her family and friends. Kelley was the devoted mother to her only daughter Leslie Janet Kathleen Blake Latham (Terry) of Fort Jones CA and she was a loving BUM (Back up Mom) to Cyrina Smith (Nathan) and Grammy to C. Smith of Brentwood CA. Many knew Kelley as a Mom, Sister, Aunt, or Grammy and would often step into those roles for anyone who needed her. Kelley was born Judith Arline Sharpe in Maryland to Harold Arthur and Arline Luwana Sharpe on March 25, 1944. The family then moved to Hawthorne CA, and eventually to Sacramento CA. Kelley has two sisters, Janet Whitaker of Yreka CA, and Kathleen Caswell (Peter) of Fort Worth TX. She later changed her name legally to Kelley when she was 18. Kelley was a feisty, fierce, protective red head full of quick wit who loved to share stories of her time working in the heavy construction industry. Kelley worked for Gordon H Ball and Dillingham Construction where she met her husband Richard Leslie Blake and his two children Sharron Gayle Blake and Richard Michael Blake. Kelley then retired from construction and became a devoted housewife and mom. She would often volunteer at her daughter’s school either in the office or in the kitchen. The family lived in Pleasanton CA, Oakley CA and Shaver Lake CA. Kelley loved to be needed and accepted everyone into the family, the more the merrier she would say. Kelley spent her days on the phone with her friends and family, going out to eat and shopping. Kelley was active in helping the feral cat community in her neighborhood, with trapping, fixing and releasing close to 100 cats and would often pay for this out of her own pocket. Kelley was proceeded in death by her Father, Harold Arthur Sharpe in 2001, Husband, Richard Leslie Blake in 2006, Mother, Arline Luwana Olsen in 2017 and step son, Richard Michael Blake in 2023. A memorial service will be held at Brentwood Funeral Home on Wednesday May 29, 2024 with burial to be held on Friday May 31, 2024 at the Fort Jones Cemetery in Fort Jones CA. If you would like to make a donation in Kelley’s memory please donate to SPAR (Special Paws Animal Rescue) or to your local animal rescue.
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