Judge Ruth Jackson Blake

Ruth is survived by her adoptive mother, Lois Jones; sisters Helene Blake and Sharon Hazell-Alvarez; sons and daughters-in-law, Bil and Cindy Blake, Steven and Shirley Blake, Rabitt and Cindy Blake, Eddie and Shannon Blake; daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Steven Gray; foster children, Marie Robinson, Jessica Ross and Fred Nichols; 29 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; plus a multitude of other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her former husband, two sisters and two brothers.

She grew up in East Texas and at the age of 15, married Robert Blake. After having four children in less than seven years, she attended San Jacinto Junior College, University of Houston, and Bates School of Law, receiving a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in June 1966 and passed the State Bar Exam that summer.

Although she lived and practiced law in several places including England and Wyoming where she was the first female County Attorney in the state, her roots brought her back to East Texas when she moved to Tyler in 1981.

She became the first female judge seated in Smith County when she served part of a term on the County Court at Law No. 2 in 1983. She then served as an assistant district attorney for Smith County.

In 1985, she was appointed to the bench as a judge for the 321st District Court from which she retired in 1997. During her time as a judge, she also helped establish CASA of Smith County. Since her retirement, she continued judicial duties as a visiting judge in neighboring counties.

Funeral services for Judge Ruth Jackson Blake are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2016 in the chapel of Lloyd James Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Sandifer officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Burial will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Palacios Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to CASA for Kids of East Texas or the Hospice of East Texas Foundation.