Judith Jeanette Lay Blake was a beloved and caring wife, Momma, Nana, sister, and friend. After a long, fought battle with Parkinson’s disease and lung cancer, she passed away early in the morning on February 21, 2023, at the age of 79.
Born in Pace, FL, on August 14, 1943, Jeanette was the daughter of Margarite Penton Lay Kilpatrick and John Gordon “JG” Lay. She grew up in Pace with her three brothers, Gordon, Bryant, and Frank and spent many of her childhood years playing the piano at churches in her hometown. She graduated from Milton High School and shortly after married her childhood sweetheart, James “Jimmy” Blake who she met at the age of 9.
Jeanette and Jimmy married in 1961 and were happily wed for over 61 years. They spent many years traveling and making wonderful memories flying to many places around the world. When they weren’t in the air, they were traversing the continental United States in their RV. As an avid sports fan and supportive grandparent, you could always find Jeanette cheering loudly in the stands at swim meets, soccer games, football games, and baseball games.
Jeanette worked for the Escambia County School District and retired from Myrtle Grove Elementary after 30 years of devoted service with the district. At Myrtle Grove, Jeanette had many cherished friends with whom she thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, JG Lay and Margarite Kilpatrick, and her brother, Gordon Lay.
Jeanette is survived by her devoted husband, James “Jimmy” Blake of Pensacola, FL, her daughter, Marjorie Bodin (Donnie) of Pensacola, FL, and her son, Joseph “Joe” Blake of Pensacola, FL; 7 grandchildren: grandsons- Dylan Blake, Dalton Manning Bower, Tully Blake, and Ens. Blake Bodin; granddaughters- Kristin Kenney (Rich), Alyssa Bodin, and Joy Blake; and 8 great-grandchildren- Brianna Levatino, Kayla Levatino, Olivia Blake, Janine Downs, Reese Kenney, Jaxson Downs, Rayland Blake, and Tilly Blake; her brothers- Bryant Lay (Lois) of Milton, FL and Frank Lay (Nancy) of Pace, FL.
Although Jeanette is no longer with us, her memory and love will never leave us. As Jeanette would say, “Near or far, we are always connected; Friends Forever!”
Visitation and memorial services will be held at Trahan Family Funeral Home, 60 Industrial Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32503, on March 12, 2023. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution in memory of Judith Jeanette Blake to Covenant Care of Pensacola DONATE HERE https://www.choosecovenant.org/donate-now/
OR to the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit 10650 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL 32507, DONATE HERE https://secure.myvanco.com/YJJ8/home