Gail Tharpe Hunter Blake

Gail Tharpe Hunter Blake, 86, died at her home on Thursday, June 18, 2026. She was born on August 14, 1939, at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, to the late Lester Swiam Hunter and Ruby Tharpe Hunter. In her early childhood, she lived in Harmony, North Carolina, Iredell County.

After the death of her father, when she was very young, Gail and her mother moved to Raleigh, where she lived the rest of her life. She was educated in Raleigh City Schools, attending Murphy Elementary, Hugh Morson, and Needham B. Broughton High School, graduating in 1957. She then attended Saint Mary’s College, graduating in 1959.

Although Gail grew up in Raleigh, she spent many wonderful summers at her grandparents’ farm in Harmony, belonging to Augustus and Carrie Tharpe. At age 14, she met George Phillip Blake, age 17, at the old Pullen Park Pool. They married in the early 1960s after his return from military service in the U.S. Army.

Throughout her life, Gail worked first in advertising and then spent many years in hotel sales. She later worked at the NC State Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab, until the age of 81. Her most important role, however, was raising her two sons, Mark and Scott, who didn't make it easy. She was a devoted sports mom, driving her boys to countless activities and games, including scouting, baseball, basketball, football and events at the Hillsborough St. YMCA.

Gail was truly one of a kind—honest, expressive, and full of life. She had a beautiful smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and a larger-than-life personality. She possessed a high degree of common sense, a keen eye and excellent taste in clothing and antiques. She was also a gifted cook who loved preparing meals for her family and remained an avid reader throughout her life.

She truly enjoyed working in her yard and planting flowers, but what she loved most was watching sports—especially Duke basketball, the NBA, and any event involving her sons or granddaughters.

Beyond her love for her sons, her deepest joy and greatest blessing were her two granddaughters, Virginia and Anne, whom she adored and who made her life complete.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Blake, 2010; her double first cousins, who were like siblings to her, Emma Lea Tharpe Elledge and Webb Tharpe; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her two sons, Phillip Mark Blake and his wife, Angie Brewer Blake, along with their daughters, Virginia Tharpe Blake of Raleigh and Anne Hunter Blake of Richmond; her son, Christopher Scott Blake and his partner, Misty; her beloved cousin, Mary Jo Tharpe Anderson of Statesville, who was like her sister; and other cousins and extended family.

Though we are heartbroken, we find comfort in knowing she is with the Lord and reunited with her beloved mother and husband.

Mom, "Nana", was truly one of a kind, and her smile, spirit, and love will live within us forever.

We would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for her longtime medical care, from the late Dr. Arthur R. Summerlin and, since 2000, from Dr. Jon Lue.

Service details are pending at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Saint Mary’s School Annual Fund, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603; the Wake County Public Library Trust Fund, 4020 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610; or the Broughton Alumni Association, P.O. Box 31464, Raleigh, NC 27622-1464.

Service arrangements are provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC.

May her memory be eternal.