Gentalee Violet Blake, 87, of Reedsville, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family.
Gentalee was born in Copen in Braxton County, on June 6, 1934, a daughter of the late Worley Jacob and Arlie May (Sumpter) Steele. She grew up in Copen and graduated from Burnsville High School. She attended the Baptist Church in Copen and was a Christian all her life. She had been a resident of Preston County since 1969.
Gentalee’s interests included cooking, gardening, ceramics, antiques and collecting glassware. She loved camping with her family and friends at the Blake family retreat on Big Bull Run in Braxton County. She was a WVU fan and greatly enjoyed cheering on the Mountaineers.
Gentalee is survived by a son, Stephen Blake and wife Denise, of Reedsville; two grandsons, James Blake and Jeremy Blake and wife Amee; an older brother, Willard “Sonny” Steele; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many family and friends throughout West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland, among them, John and Melinda Sanford, of Morgantown.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, William L. Blake in 2002. She cherished the memories that they had made together.
The family has chosen Field Funeral Home in Masontown to provide services at Gentalee’s request. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public viewing or service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, William, at the WV National Cemetery in Pruntytown, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 4, with the Dr. Rev. David Spence officiating.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of WV Caring, who became part of Gentalee’s family late in her life, especially the team of nurse Ashley Ice and “Woodstock.”
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gentalee’s memory to WV Caring, P.O. Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520.
Condolences:
www.fieldfuneralhome.com
