CHARLOTTE, NC – Frances Loraine Bryant Blake, 91, went home to be with the Lord on January 15, 2018 in Charlotte NC. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl Blake, and her sister Mable Whitaker of Tarboro NC. She was the last surviving member of the ‘old family’, the rest of us fondly remember growing up. She is survived by her three sons and their families: Jasper (Jay) of Plymouth, MN, Stephen (Steve) of Charlotte, NC, and John, also of Charlotte, NC.

Loraine was born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, NC where she professed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a young girl, graduated from high school then Nursing School prior to relocating to

Ahoskie in 1947. Loraine had a wonderful 45-year nursing career, mostly at Roanoke Chowan Hospital, rising from staff nurse to surgical nurse to Director of Nursing. She, along with Earl, Medical Technologist, spent countless hours helping grow the hospital from the opening of the new community hospital in 1947 to her retirement in 1992. In retirement, she continued to serve, at church and visiting home bound friends.

In addition to being a full time working mother, she was a full time caregiver to her children and eventually her husband after a serious automobile accident. After Earl’s death in 1975, she was a courageous single parent and assured each son had a paid college education to shape and solidify their successful future.

Just before and especially after retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her sister Mabel, and often accompanied by her aunt Beulah, and her mother Lola. Funny stories always included them getting lost along the way, laughing about the experience, and just enjoying where they found themselves. She loved any kind of dog, having many dear pets throughout her life, and enjoyed reading and watching western movies.

While in Ahoskie, Loraine was a loyal member of Creech Memorial Baptist Church, loved the old Baptist hymns, and shared the faith with her family. In addition to life’s struggles, she survived the Hurricane Floyd flooding of her home in the Edgewood Drive area (currently a park). She settled in Charlotte, NC in 2006 to be close to and cared for by her sons and their families. While in Charlotte, she was a faithful attendee of First Baptist Church Matthews. She spent the last 3 years in assisted living at Carrington Place in Mathews, NC, and the family is appreciative of the care she received.

Along with her sons, she is survived by her daughters in law, Jane, Kathy and Ann; her niece, Alice, and nephew, Cecil and their families. She also especially enjoyed her 5 grandchildren, Ashley, Patrick, Kathryn, Emily and Daniel.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Visitation will take place at Garrett Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm and a graveside service will be follow at Highland Memorial Gardens at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or your local animal shelter would be appreciated.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service is handling arrangements for the Blake family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.