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Miriam Blake Obituary
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1929, Miriam grew up in the small village of Monterey, Ohio. Much of her early life was spent in her parents' grocery store. Her notebook is filled with accounts of the wide variety of patrons she encountered. She attended a one-room school, where she delighted to tune in to whatever grade level lesson interested her. A faithful attendee at the local Church of Christ, Miriam was a loyal Christian throughout her life.
Her education after high school consisted of a BSL degree from Cincinnati Bible College, and B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. Miriam taught kindergarten and first grade full-time in Hanover and Chesterfield counties for 28 years and substituted in Richmond after that. Her love for all these children was unbounded.
Taught piano by her mother, she was the first piano teacher for her children. Also, she could make garden vegetables grow on any plot of land and was noted for her running battle with deer in her Windsor Farms garden.
Miriam is survived by her husband of 71 years, Dr. William E. Blake Jr.; daughter, Michal Joan Evens (Peter) of Sandhurst, England; son, Peter Alan Blake (Mary Blanchard) of Richmond, Virginia; sister, Janet Vance (Bill) of Wilmington, Ohio; and daughter-in-law, Audrey Raeder Blake, widow of deceased elder son, Benjamin W. Blake, Chesterfield County. Other survivors are seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, a number of these the children of Miriam's deceased brother, Dale Snell.
The family is deeply grateful for the care Miriam received in Parsons Health Care at her residence in Westminster Canterbury Richmond.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Miriam S. Blake Scholarship in Early and Elementary Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Education, P.O. Box 842019, Richmond, Virginia 23284.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at Westminster Canterbury Richmond.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Miriam Blake
3 Entries
Brenda Young and Mary Lee Whittaker
January 4, 2022
What a very special lady. She was a neighbor and role model for my sister and I. We were included in many fun activities with the Blake family. We love you Mrs. Blake and know you are in your heavenly home. Brenda & Mary Lee
Dottie Figg
October 21, 2021
Dear Peter and Family,
You have my love and sympathy.
Although I did not know her, she sounds like the Mother we'd all like to be blessed with.
May many happy memories help you through the "cloudy days".
Sincerely,
Dottie Figg
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