Alma S. Blake

On June 12, 1946, in Chestertown, Maryland, God blessed Henry and Edith Whye with a baby girl. They named her Alma Selene Whye and she was very special. As a young girl, Alma helped out on her parents’ small farm. Her assignment was to take care of the baby chicks. Thus, she was bestowed the nickname of “Chick”. Chick was educated through the Kent County Public School District. She started her Christian journey at the Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Butlertown, Maryland. Alma lived in Butlertown, and then moved to Chester, Pennsylvania where she became a member of Murphy AME Church. Alma fell in love and eventually said “I do” to Arthur M. Blake, Sr. on November 24, 1969. They enjoyed 54 years of matrimony together and their union was blessed with 5 children: Melody, Janice, Arthur Jr., Nina, and Carla. This lady loved to host family and friends, especially on Fridays -“Fish Day”; not to mention that she was known for her “Christmas Chitlins”. The family would laugh when Chick said she didn’t like to cook…because she was always cooking! Chick worked as a Foster Mother and Day Care Mother for 40 years! It was her calling. This was in addition to mothering her own children, godchildren, grandchildren, and neighborhood children. She was stern, but loving. Many times, friends and family would enter the home and hear her singing the “I Love You” song from Barnie along with the children. There wasn’t a moment when you visited that you weren’t surrounded by children. Chick would often host “Girl’s Night” whenever any of the children asked. She was often asked, “How was it when you were growing up?” The family home was always filled with laughter. What a wonderful and caring legacy. To God be the glory for this amazing life! The book of Ecclesiastes says, For everything there is a “Season”, and a time for every matter under the heaven. Alma departed her earthly journey, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on December 17, 2023. We praise God that we were blessed by the “Season” of Alma Selene “Chick” Blake. Alma was preceded in death by her parents: Henry and Edith Whye; her daughter: Nina Blake; Siblings: Gladys Walker, Amy Whye, Henry Whye, Jr., Connie Cannon, Wayne Whye Sr., and Ava Whye; and her God-Daughter: Dana Blake-Townsend. Alma leaves to cherish her memory, her husband: Arthur Merrill Blake, Sr. Children: Melody Blake, Janice Blake, Arthur Merrill Blake, Jr., and Carla Blake Sister: Jacqueline Sisco Grandchildren: Jasmine Blake, ZaNae Blake-Dill, Donte’ Blake-Lammons, Nadir Blake, Zariah Blake-Lammons, Kenard Blake-Hicks, Na’eem Blake, Na’asha Blake, and Davione, Davar, Davon, and Dayonna Jones, 3 great-grandchildren: Arianna, Zaine, and Zaydon, Godchildren: Greta Burton, Dennis Pace, Jr., and Marie Price Honorary children: Brenda Pace, Angela Foster, Denise Armstrong, Latricia Graham, James Graham, Danielle Jones, and more. Sisters-in-Law: Barbara Blake-Townsend (Ronald, dec.); Carrie Rawls Brothers-in-Law: Ronald Blake (Cathy, dec.), George “Bunky” Blake (Marion) Special Cousin: William “Buggs” Johnson, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Alma S. Blake

June 12, 1946 - December 17, 2023