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1943 Shirley 2019

Shirley Jean (Middleton) Blake

April 15, 1943 — April 24, 2019

Shirley Jean (Middleton) Blake, 76, was born on April 15, 1943, in Redland, Oklahoma to Arlene (Ryan) and Raymond Middleton and she went, from her beloved home in Redland, to be with her Lord on April 24, 2019. She married Clyde Blake on December 15, 1961, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the couple had 52 years together. She was a member of Elim Full Gospel Church in Sallisaw for many years, enjoyed watching Pastor Dale Thompson of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, and best af all, was a member of the family of God. After graduating from Gans High School, she wrote a column, “The Redland News” for The Sequoyah County Times for several years, and she helped her husband with his accounting business more than 40 years. She was a devoted mother, grandmother (“Gran”), sister, aunt, and friend who loved and laughed, and loved TO laugh. She raised a family and made a life, not just a living. Most importantly, she made a difference…and touched the lives of all who knew her.

Mrs. Blake is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Melvin DuVaul of Redland, OK; and son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Donna Blake of Redland, OK; granddaughter, Shawna Blake of Pocola, OK; grandsons, Andy Blake of Barling, AR and Joe DuVaul of Redland, OK; sister, Brenda Moses of Redland, OK; brother, Burley Middleton of Sallisaw, OK; many special nieces, nephews, and cousins, other relatives, her church family, and numerous friends, including special friends, Gloria Faye Merrill, Janie Risenhoover, Lou Owens, and Gail Walters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; a grandson, Joshua Raymond Blake; and her brother, Aubrey Middleton.

Mrs. Blake loved the Lord and loved spending time with her family and friends, whom she prayed for every night. She was an excellent seamstress who designed and made her own clothes for years; a talented “play-by-ear” pianist who could play anything she had heard once; and a skilled gardener who grew beautiful flowers. She loved to read murder mysteries and do word puzzles, and enjoyed visiting her old friends, The Rocky Mountains. She was a remarkable artist who could draw portraits and flowers and make homemade paper dolls for her nieces. She was also a great cook who made legendary cornbread and was as Southern as the dish towel she owned, which read, “I’m from the South, darling. I will bless your heart and slap the mess out of you; then I’ll bring you a casserole.” She was known-and loved-for her funny tee-shirts (“Born to Party, Forced to Work”), her sarcastic comebacks (“Don’t think you’re the Lone Ranger”) and her witty remarks, or “Gran-isms,” as her family called them. In fact, they referred to her as Maxine 2.0. She was alternately wise and feisty, sweet and sassy, and caring, yet painfully truthful. She gave the best hugs, the best advice, and the best reality doses dished out, and there will never be another like her. She will be forever loved and forever missed, and her passing will leave a never-filled hole in all our lives. But in our sadness, we will remember that “This, too, shall pass,” and we will rejoice that she is now freely breathing the sweet air of Heaven and joyously walking down the streets of gold.

Services will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Redland Cemetery in Muldrow, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Active pallbearers will be Monte Brunk, Sean Hamby, Mason Hamby, Wes Owens, Gary Linker, Archer Ryan, Joe Ryan and Rick Russell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Rhoads, Jerry Lee Brunk, Perry Trotter, Jimmy Brunk, Tommy Noel, Jeff Brown, A.C. Noel and her grandchildren.

Viewing will be 10 am – 8 pm Saturday and 2 – 8 pm Sunday at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow, OK where the family will greet 4 – 6 pm Sunday.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Jean (Middleton) Blake, please visit our flower store.

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