Millie Elaine Blake

Millie Elaine Blake was born in Eureka, California May 22, 1996 and left this world Monday September 22, 2014. We can't help but feel that our sweet baby "Millagro" was taken too soon, but we must focus on the blessing she brought to our lives and the many people she touched with her sweet smile, and infectious laugh. She was bold, brave, outspoken, and confident. She often spoke matter of factly, but could also be poised, proper and respectful at the most appropriate times. Millie will be missed for her quick wit, humor and big heart. She made friends easily, and because of this she had many friends from all over California. Because of her gentle spirit she was an avid animal lover, and truly loved her seven dogs including her beloved Hunnies. She was a 2014 graduate of Hoopa Valley High School, where she was a cheerleader, and track (shot put) athlete; and she went to California State Championship in North Coast State Sectionals. She was the first candidate selected the first year that she attended Humboldt State University's Upward Bound Program when she walked into the room and said to Leo Canez, "Pick me becauseI'm the girl you'll never forget." Millie had been attending 2014 Fall semester at College of the Redwoods majoring in Culinary Arts. She had worked at the Hoopa Child Development Center for the past two years, and absolutely loved and adored all of her little babies. Milllie was Karuk, Yurok, and a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe. As a little girl she enjoyed attending church with her grandma LeAnn. She enjoyed attending ceremonial dances, and along with her uncle-dad Forrest "Stumpy" Blake attended and became family with the Bear Dancers of California. She was proud to be Native and became an advocate for Indigenous Issues including Klamath Dam Removal, Water Rights, and Indigenous Women's Rights Issues. Her passion for her people and culture was just beginning to culminate and awaken with her exposure to the many complex issues of the world. She loved her family and friends dearly. She had a unique way of expressing her love and was able to make each and every person in her world feel special. Her best friends include Shelby Clark, Destiny Latham, Nanya Norton, Jesslynn Peters, Shenaya Ammon, Sadie Jones, and Theodora Longwolf, David Villegas. Millie is survived by her mother Melanie Blake, and her father John Rogers, Sr., her auntie-mom Julie Blake; brothers Robert A. E. Blake, Sr., Jasper Tello, Richard Corriea, and John Rogers, Jr.; sisters Rosa Marie Tello (Brody), Cinnamon Rogers (Jesse), and Ginger Rogers; maternal grandmother Elaine Johnson Cooke; maternal grandfather Virgil Blake, Sr.; aunts Le Loni Colegrove, Sophie Blake, Rebecca Campbell and Angela Perez; and uncles Virgil Blake, Jr., White Otter Blake, Damon Colegrove, Lawrence Butch Rogers. She is also survived by great aunts Marilyn Thompson, Geneva Donahue, Lelanette McCovey; and great uncles Dennis Donahue, Gus Donahue, George Pordy Blake, Richie Lee Blake, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Millie is preceded in death by her great uncle-dad Forrest Blake, maternal great-grandfather Harold Blake, Sr., and Ellen Nixon Blake; paternal grandparents Alta Farnsworth Rogers and Douglas Rogers; maternal great-grandmother and namesake Mildred Johnson Donahue, maternal great -grandfather Felix; special grandma's LeAnn Doolittle, and Ruby Jarnaghan, and maternal great-aunt Juanita Donahue McKinnon, special cousins Adam "Little Wise Owl" Thompson, and Frankie Thompson. Millie was laid to rest on Saturday, September 27, 2014 next to her "great" uncle-dad Forrest Blake at her home on Bald Hill. Pall Bearers were: Robert A. E. Blake, Sr., Jasper Tello, John Rogers Jr., Forrest Davis, Micah Titus II, Austin Blake, Robert Hodge III. Honorary pall bearers included: John Rogers Sr., Lawrence "Butch" Rogers, Virgil Blake, Sr., Virgil Blake, Jr., White Otter Blake, Ritchie Blake, Damon Colegrove, Richard Corriea, Kristopher Mellon, Robert A.E. Blake Jr., George Pordy Blake, Caw-Tep Sylvia, Panther and Wolfie Colegrove, David Villegas, Robert Wolfe, Dennis & Gus Donahue, Rick Billings, Dakota Mosier, Micah Titus I and Michael Montgomery. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.