Irene Smith Parker Blake

Irene Smith Parker Blake, 87, of Lynchburg, died, Sunday, August 19, 2012, at The Summit. She was the wife of the late Grady Ray Blake, Sr. Born March 29, 1925, in Lynchburg, she was the daughter of the late Berry Gordon Smith and the late Oina Bryant Smith.

Irene was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School, class of 1944. She retired from C & P Telephone Co., where she served for 36 years, and she was a member of Penuel Baptist Church of Altavista. Mrs. Blake was also a life member of Telephone Pioneers, and she was a member of the Elks Auxiliary #321. Irene enjoyed bowling, line dancing and collecting Barbie’s and Beanie Babies.

In addition to her husband and parents, Irene was preceded in death by three brothers, Claude E., Roy G. and Leslie L. Smith and three sisters, Christine S. Fincher, Marie S. Gaudiano and Maybelle S. Baker.

Irene is survived by two children, Donna Parker Ingram and her husband Dwight of The Villages, FL and Douglas Keith Parker and his wife Susan of Mt. Dora, FL; two step-children, Grady R. Blake, Jr. and his wife Vickie of Forest and Calvin W. Blake and his wife Vickey of Suwanee, GA; one sister, Helen S. Crews of Lynchburg; three grandchildren, Kendra A. Bolton and her husband Nathan of Statesboro, GA, Kiel L. Grizzard of Katy, TX and Kasey Grizzard of Hilton Head, SC; two great-grandchildren, Lauryn Bolton and Gavin Bolton; five step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Fort Hill Memorial Park with the Rev. Carlton Gunter officiating.

The family will receive friends, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.