First Lady Norma Jean Jernigan Blake

First Lady Norma Jean Jernigan Blake, age 80, passed away at the Willis- Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 21, 2018 after being stricken with a massive stroke.

She was born on January 22, 1938 in Shreveport,  LA to the late Claude and Nancy (Gilliam) Jernigan. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, and there she met her husband, Pastor Harry Blake.They were married on August 31, 1958.They are the parents of four.

While Pastor Blake is a recognized icon in the Civil Rights Movement, she was the force behind the force that lead to justice and equality for many. She was the First Lady of the Mount Canaan Missionary Baptist Church for 52 years where she was also an active member. 

She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Pastor Harry Blake, daughters, Elizabeth (Kerek), Monica (Collier), sons, Harry (Evelyn) and Rodney, 16 grandchildren, sister, Claude Ester, brothers-in-law Herman (Mary) and Robert Blake, sister-in-law Carol Blake Rachal (John), a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Services will be held Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church located at 1666 Alston Street, Shreveport at 6:00 P.M. and Friday, April 27, 2018 at the Church at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Memory of Mrs. Norma J. Blake Stroke Awareness Initiative.

Special Thanks to the staff at Willis-Knighton for the care and support provided during this difficult time.

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