of Benton, AR
March 27, 1912 - November 1, 2012
Elizabeth P. (Bettye) Blake after 100+ years on this earth has gone to her eternal home to be with her Lord.
Born on March 27, 1912 in North Little Rock, AR, she was the second daughter of Max J. and Helen J. Pruniski. She lost her mother when she was three years old and was reared by her father and grandmother. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary Academy in Little Rock in 1927, and married Christopher Patrick (Pete) Blake in 1940 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in North Little Rock. In 1969 she and her husband moved to Benton, AR where they built and operated a thoroughbred horse farm, breeding, raising, and racing thoroughbreds.
Bettye was very active in various civic organizations. She helped found the Junior League in North Little Rock, but was most proud of her work in her church. From her baptism till her death she was an active member of the Catholic faith. She served all of the Catholic schools that her children attended, as well as all of the parishes where her family members belonged. Up until just a few years ago she was a devoted, scheduled adorer of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Benton, where she had been an active member for 42 years.
Her husband, Pete, died in 1996, but she continued to live on their farm, until a year ago when she moved to Mt. Carmel Community. She was also preceded in death by her two sisters, Marie Morrissey and Phil Wilkins and their husbands.
She is survived by her sons, Max and his wife Jean and Jimmy and his wife Becky all of Benton, Chris and his wife Penny of Haymarket , VA., and her daughter Betty Anne Redson and her husband Jim of Larkspur, CO. She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren, Beth Blake and her husband Michael Lebrun of Rockville, MD, Patrick Blake and his wife Christi of Marion, AR, Max Blake, Jr. and his wife Beth of Bartlett, TN, Matt Blake and his wife Lacie of Benton, AR, Ryan Blake and his wife Roxi of Rogers, AR, Sean Blake and his wife Sarah of Ashburn, VA, Blake Redson and his wife Sara of Denver, CO, and Marie Redson also of Denver. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
G.G. (for great grandmother) as she was known to all was very devoted to her family, whom she loved so much. Her pallbearers who will carry her to her final earthly resting place will be her 8 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School and to Saline Memorial Hospice House where she so peacefully spent the last few weeks of her long life on this earth. The warm loving care she received during her last days was not only a blessing to her but a blessing to her whole family as well.
A Rosary service will be held at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012 followed by visitation.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2012 at Our Lady of Fatima Church followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock.
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13 Condolence(s)
Steve Vogler
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Jim Blake and family. So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are for you this weekend.
Its funny the things you remember, I remember how gracious this lady was, and how her children, continue this (her) wonderful tradition.
Leo and Marguerite Olberts
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Max, Jean, Jimmy, Becky, and all the Blake family,
Leo and I wish to send you our heart felt sympathy on the passing of your mother. She was such a beautiful witness of faith to everyone who knew her. May God bless and comfort you all.
Gene & Rosann Turley
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Our deepest Sympathy to all the Blake family in the loss of Mrs. Blake . She and Mr Blake were our costumers for many years at Turleys Ser. Sta. and they were appreciated greatly . So sorry for your loss.
Gene & Rosann Turley
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Our deepest Sympathy to all the Blake family in the loss of Mrs. Blake . She and Mr Blake were our costumers for many years at Turleys Ser. Sta. and they were appreciated greatly . So sorry for your loss.
gil caver
Monday, November 5, 2012
max,jimmy,chris,betty ann my thoughts and prayers are with you,fond memories of long ago,what a great life she had
Saline Memorial Hospice
Monday, November 5, 2012
The staff of Saline Memorial Hospice extends our condolences with the loss of Mrs. Blake. Thank you for gracing us with her presence. May your memories and love give your family peace for this day and strength for your tomorrows.
Joe Battisto
Monday, November 5, 2012
To Jimmy and all the Blake family, I am so sorry for your loss. I spent a lot of time in high school at your house in Little Rock and your farm outside of Salem. I only have good thoughts and fond memories of your Mom. She was a special lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all....
Rickey Medlock
Monday, November 5, 2012
So sorry to hear about your loss of Mrs. Blake. She was such a beautiful individual. Over the past several years that I new her, she always had a smile and remained upbeat no matter what she faced. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kenneth Archer
Sunday, November 4, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you this week.
julie and gary stoll
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Max so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Sounds like she was a wonderful person who lived a full life. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Mark Sikes
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Sorry for your lost
Linda & Tony Dean
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Known mainly through times spent with Max and Jean, we knew Mrs. Blake as a delightful, charismatic and fun lady. She had the most wonderful upbeat view of life in Benton and the world and could always remind one to check with "Jesus" for His take on any matter. Mrs. Blake touched our lives only incidentally but her vibrant personality left an indelible mark. We too will miss her...
Amanda Badgett-SMH Hospice
Friday, November 2, 2012
To the entire Blake family- we wish to send our condolenses. Mrs. Blake was a wonderful and spunky lady that will be missed by all. She was the most wonderful person to have met and taken care of. We would like to thank you for allowing us to know her and take care of her in her final days. I will say from hearing her talk she was very proud of her family and her horses. Wishing you all the best a lots of love !!!
I know I can speak for us all--The Saline Memorial Hospice Staff.