Permelia Marie Blake

Better known by her nickname, Perky, she was born on October 21, 1928, in Miami, FL. While in high school, she moved with her family to Wilmington.

She was baptized by the Rev. Daniel Iverson at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church, Miami, FL, and confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Wright, fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. She was educated at Miami Senior High School, New Hanover High School, and the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

She was devout in her faith, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge club, spending time at Wrightsville Beach, and caring for her beloved pets (most recently, her dog, Rie).

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney Edward and Florie Permelia Robertson Wheatley; a brother, Sidney Edward Wheatley, Jr.; and husbands Alan Burke Blake and Thomas William Blake. She is survived by her children, Alan Burke Blake, Jr., Carol Jean Blake Smith (Johnnie), Edward Thomas Blake (Brenda), and Thomas William Blake, Jr. (Chad); a stepdaughter, Elizabeth Lee Blake; her grandchildren, Anita Marie Smith Daly (Kenneth), David Ray Smith (Ryan); Kendee Nicole Blake Ruark (Douglas), Edward Thomas Blake, Jr., Maddi Godwin (Andrew), Christine Dawn Blake, and Sara Lynn Blake; ten great grandchildren; four nieces; a sister-in-law, Aileen Wheatley; and a dear cousin, whom she regarded as her younger sister, Shirley Wheatley Ronan.

The family wishes to express its appreciation for the staff on the fifth floor of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the staff of Trinity Grove, her extraordinary caregivers at home, and the wonderful people of the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

The burial rite is planned for Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 11:00 am, at Wrightsville United Methodist Church, the Rev. William Braswell and the Rev. Thomas William Blake, Jr., officiating. The family will receive visitors in the church fellowship hall one hour before the service. Interment will follow at the St. Andrews on the Sound Episcopal Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice are encouraged.