Ervin Jake Blake, Sr.

With deep love and respect, we celebrate the life of Ervin Blake Sr. who peacefully departed this life on July 3, 2025, at Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas.

Born on March 23, 1936, in Laneburg, Arkansas, to the late Mathew and Nobie Hall Blake, Ervin was the embodiment of strength, sacrifice, and faith. His early life was marked by resilience—after the passing of his father when he was just ten, Ervin left school to help support his mother and younger siblings, setting a lifelong example of duty and dedication.

Ervin married the love of his life, Mae Lue Wyrick Blake, and together they welcomed eight children. A devoted husband and father, he worked for almost forty years at Potlatch in Prescott, Arkansas, earning the respect of many for his work ethic and humility.

He joined New Hope Baptist Church in Falcon, Arkansas, where he was a member for many years. Later, Ervin united with Saving Souls Ministries in Willisville, Arkansas, to uplift his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and support the work of his children in the ministry, Reverend Elaine Haynie, Dr. Linda Blake, and Chaplain Johnny Blake. At Saving Souls, he was known to sing two of his favorite gospel songs, “Down Through the Years” and “Come On In the Room.”

Ervin enjoyed the simple and meaningful pleasures of life—gardening, hunting, fishing, and fixing anything he could get his hands on with his signature “MacGyver” touch. He was an engineer at heart. Time spent fishing with his siblings, especially Dinzer Lee and Lydia, and sister-in-law Shirley Blake, brought him great happiness. He particularly enjoyed their competitive fishing competitions.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mae Lue; his children, Ervin Blake Jr. and Darlene Davenport; four sisters, Lou Blake, Lydia Smiley, Corine Baker, and Mary Nell Newman; six brothers, Temore, Johnny, Earnest, William (Bill), Dinzer Lee, and Douglas Blake; and a son-in-law, Kelvin McClellan.

Ervin leaves to cherish his memory: five daughters, Regina Brewer (Carl) of Texarkana, Texas, Wanda McClellan of Emmet, Arkansas, Reverend Elaine Haynie (Rodney) of Willisville, Arkansas, Teresa and Dr. Linda Blake of Rosston, Arkansas; one son, Chaplain Johnny Blake (Cynthia) of Madison, Alabama; one bonus daughter-in-law, Teresa Mitchell of Rosston, Arkansas; and two sisters, Ocie Mae Gulley and Mattie Palms both of Dallas, Texas. He also leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

A life marked by service, love, and quiet wisdom, Ervin Blake Sr.’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a pillar of strength, a man of deep faith, and a father whose guidance shaped generations. He will be dearly missed

Submitted by the Blake Family