Jualine Blake Eldridge

U.S. Army CWO2 Junious L. Blake and Anna Finch Blake (teacher), along with sister Ruth Blake, joyfully welcomed Jualine Edith Blake on March 10, 1953 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. She and her sister who embraced the title of “Army Brat”, grew up on Army posts in the U.S. and abroad until their father retired in 1962. They lived in Charleston, SC, and Tuskegee, AL before making Hampton, VA their home where they also joined Bethel A.M.E. Church. In 1985, she married Robert Eldridge in Hampton, VA and returned to her husband’s native city of Kaufman where they created a loving home over the next 40 years.

Jualine excelled and actively participated in every stage of her education. After her father’s retirement she attended the following: Chambliss Children’s House (middle school), Tuskegee Institute, AL; Tuskegee High School, Tuskegee, AL; Kecoughtan High School, Hampton, VA; Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Hampton, VA on a full nursing 4-year scholarship earning a BA in Nursing in 1976. While at H. I., she was a proud member of the Gamma Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the college choir.

Employment as an accomplished registered nurse spanned 3 states beginning with a 6-year stint as the Nurse Manager in the Oncology Unit at Misericordia Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She joined the ranks of a traveling nurse agency that took her to Kaufman, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and Goliad, TX. In Texas she spent 3 years at Medical City Hospital, Dallas, followed by the next 27 years at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Kaufman in the Intensive Care Unit.

Jualine embraced and was active in her community. This included serving on the Board of the Salvation Army of Kaufman. With her husband Robert, she co-founded Ellway, LLC and their non-profit Kaufman Neighborhood Development Organization (KNDO), holding positions of President and CEO for both.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories: Robert Eldridge, husband of Kaufman, Ruth Blake, sister of Clementon, NJ, Chantel Eldridge of Kaufman and Khian Eldridge Charrier of Seagoville, step-daughters; maternal relatives of the Finch, Jackson Steplight, and Richmond Families, her matrimonial Eldridge Family, and a host of ‘adopted extended family members’ and friends.

The family is extremely grateful by the overwhelming expressions of love and support received in memory of our dear Jualine. In lieu Flowers, it is requested that donations be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Dallas and Northeast Chapter – http://www.alz.org