Wilbert Blake

Wilbert Blake was born August 14, 1947 in McNary, Arizona to the late Ted and Ruby Blake. He was the fourth child of six children. At an early age, Wilbert became a member of the St. John mission Baptist Church where he performed various duties. He is responsible for establishing an educational scholarship fund at St. John's. Wilbert received his education in Holbrook, Arizona attending Holbrook Elementary and Holbrook High School. He consistently excelled in academics and was a member of the National Honor Society and served as the team manager for several school athletic teams. Wilbert obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Education and his Master of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University. Wilbert was employed at Phoenix College in 1999 and then worked for a number of years and the Phoenix Urban League. Wilbert was also an entrepreneur working as a distributor for Amway, a financial advisor for Primerica, and a tax preparer. Born to him in 1973 was a son, Eric Blake and in 1979 a daughter, Shavon Barron. Wilbert met Pamela Hall in 1976 and they were later married in 1999 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He became a member of the Jerusalem Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Cedric Wilson. They later relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where he attended Greater Paradise Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor Raymond Walker, Sr. In 2013 Wilbert and Pamela became foster parents to Jaranesca and Jasenia Braker and later adopted them on November 5, 2014.

Wilbert is preceded in death by his parents Ted and Ruby Blake; brother Wendell Blake; sister-in-law Rosie Braker; father and mother-in-law John and Lizzie Hall; and brother-in-law Arthur Hall. Left to cherish precious memories the will never be forgotten are his wife Pamela Blake; his son Eric (Colleen) Blake of Los Altos, California; daughters Shavon (Frank) Barron of Litchfield Park, Arizona, Jaranesca Braker, and Jasenia Braker of Phoenix, Arizona; his sisters Patricia (Leroy) Scott of Holbrook, Arizona, Marva (Michael) Sumbry of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mary (Lee) Holly of Holbrook, Arizona, and Linda (Porter) Renfro of Orange, Texas; two sister-in-laws Teresa Blake San Antonio, Texas and Jacqueline Hall of Coles, Mississippi; his brother-in-laws James (Wilma) Hall of Lorman, Mississippi, John Hall Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jerry Hall of Gloster, Mississippi, and MS and J.B. Braker of Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relative and friends.