James Lee Blake

James Lee Blake, 75, of Bedford, Va., went into eternal rest with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 20, 2008, at his residence with his wife and family by his side. James was born on May 2, 1933, in Bedford County. He was a devout Christian of the Southern Baptist Faith and a believer and doer of the Word of God. James, nicknamed "Sam," was a retiree of the United States Air Force and the U.S. Postal Service, accumulating over 50 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edward Blake and Lora Carey Blake; and one sister, Helen Blake. He leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted wife and friend of 50 years, Barbara; one sister, Lillian (Melvin )Brown, of Palm Coast, Fla.; two brothers, Billy (Vickie) Gilmore and Clarence (Debra) Blake, both of Bedford; one uncle, Harry Blake, of Bedford; one cousin, Clara Campbell, of Roanoke, Va.; one great-cousin, Lucille Green, of Richmond, Va.; one brother-in-law, Henry (Vivian) Jones; two sisters-inlaw, Dorothy Jones and Lula Thompson, all of Bedford, Va.; a godson, Jason Lowry, of Morristown, N.J.; two "chosen" sons, Mark Wright, of Madison Heights, Va., and Shane Stith, of Bedford, Va.; and numerous caring nieces and nephews, and friends. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at New Life Baptist Church with the Rev. William Goode officiating and the Rev Leonard Thompson, eulogist. Interment will follow at Western Light Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Bedford Funeral Home. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home. Condolences can be emailed to the family at bedfordfuneral@verizon.net.