Joe Ray Blake of Ackerman, MS joined his wife, Minnie Bell, and youngest son, Lonnie, in heaven on December 12, 2020 at the age of 88. Joe Ray has been a resident of the Winston Medical Center Senior Care for the past 4 1/2 years, where he has been loved and well taken care of.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday December 14, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery near Mathiston, MS. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman, MS is in charge of all arrangements.
Joe Ray Blake was born May 25, 1932 to the late Walter Thomas and Donnie Ann Blake. He was the youngest of 9 siblings and a twin to one of them. He was married to his wonderful wife, Minnie Bell Weeks Blake, for 55 years before she preceded him in death 8 years ago. Before her death, he was her loving caregiver and she was the light of his life.
Joe Ray grew up in Pheba, MS where he spent his young years helping his dad and his disabled mom tend to their farm. He loved to talk about the ponds where he spent many hours swimming while his dad fished and tended to the cows. He also loved to talk about hitching rides to nearby West Point where he could spend the day watching movies and hanging out.
After Joe Ray married, he had various jobs but the majority of his career was as a dedicated employee of Mathiston and Eupora's glove factories. He worked side by side with his wife there for over 30 years until they retired together.
Joe Ray's biggest enjoyment was his family. He loved to spend time camping with them where he taught them to swim. He loved to garden where he was a master in growing peach trees. His grandchildren will remember standing on the side of the road and selling his peaches in the summer. He was a man who never met strangers so he loved people and when his wife needed a trip to Walmart he would sit on the outside bench and make new friends. He loved to eat, especially fish, and was often known to give free advertisement for Pap's Fish.
In addition to his great loves, the love of the Lord was evident in his walk. He's been longtime member of Center Grove Baptist Church. He was saved at a young age and he was a rather quiet man when it came to his religion but he lived it. You could see it in how he treated people and the example he set for his children and grandchildren. His daughters knew the kind of man to marry because he had shown them that through his love for his wife and the Lord.
Joe Ray's youngest son, Lonnie Ray Blake, preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters: Geraldine (Jerry) Jackson and her husband, Jack and Jo Ann King and her husband, Mike. He leaves behind 5 grandsons and 1 step granddaughter: Brandon Peninger (wife Tabatha), Matthew King (wife Anna) , Holden Blake (wife Jacqui), Garrett King, Austin King and Jessica Plant (husband Steven). He also leaves behind two great grandsons, two great granddaughters, one great step grandson, and one great step granddaughter.
Joe Ray will be missed by his nursing home family, friends, and most of all, his children and grands, but we all find peace and comfort in knowing that he's no longer suffering and he's having a great time rejoicing with his wife and son.
