Wise (Hickey) Blake, 89, of Winter Haven, died July 7, 2018 at Winter Haven Hospital following an extended period of debilitating health.
He was a native of the St. Phillip Community in Lloyd, a retired security guard, and an affiliate of St. Phillip A.M.E. Church. In addition to having resided in Winter Haven for the past year, he had also resided in the Capitola Community in the 1950s, after marrying the former Pansy Russ. The Blakes eventually moved to Jamaica, NY, where they remained until the late 1990s. After returning to his native St. Phillip Community, "Hickey," as he was affectionately called by family and friends, enjoyed his social, forever-young lifestyle to the fullest extent. In recent years, even though he was an octogenarian, he could be seen driving his Ford Mustang in Jefferson and Leon counties.
Survivors include two daughters, Loretha Blake Burkhart, of Winter Haven and Genevieve Blake, of Daytona Beach; a 92-year-old sister, Tommie Lee Blake, of St. Albans, NY; a local nephew, Larry Blake; two local nieces, Mary Blake Campbell and Gail Blake Austin, all of the St. Phillip Community; a 94-year-old sister-in-law, Lula Mae Wilson Blake, of the St. Phillip Community; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a multitude of cousins, including a special one, Rosa Bassa of Lloyd, who composed his obituary.
Honoring Mr. Blake's request, a graveside service was held on July 14 in Winter Haven.