Obituary

SFC Dewey Lee Blake Sr. of Chesterfield, VA departed this life on Monday, January 27, 2014. The Lord gives and the Lord has taken a devoted husband, father, and brother into the Kingdom of Heaven. He served his country with honor, dignity, love, and was always proud to serve. He received Christ and joined Bethel Presbyterian Church at an early age. He loved the Lord. He would get up early Sunday and go to chapel at Fort Lee Quartermaster Center Base. Upon returning, he would always say, “I am blessed.” After retiring from Fort Lee, Dewey attended New Deliverance Evangelistic. Dewey was born to the late Martin and Amelia Hood Blake on January 8, 1934, in Lancaster, South Carolina. He was also preceded in death by brothers, PFC Martin Blake Jr., Steve Blake; sisters, Margaret B. White, Vanessa B. Stafford, and son, Larry Darnell Young. He is survived by his devoted wife, Karen (Smith) Blake, who lives on to cherish his memory along with his beloved children, James Dewey Blake, Judy B. Carson; Brenda B. Crockett, Sharon B. Massey (Antonio); twin siblings: SGM Dewey Lee Blake Jr. (Terrie) and Tammy Lee Blake Birdsong (Robert), Sherrie Belinda Johnson, James Edward Young, Iris Laverne Joyner (Elton), Carlene Coleman, and Darlene Hurrye; sisters, Catherine B. (Robert); Mary V. Rorie (James); Naomi B. Chambers (Eugene), Nora Mae Blake; grandchildren, Dewey III, Jessica, Yolanda, Tuesdae, Lakisha, Latora, Jeremy, Kayla, Ashley, Jamie, Veronica, Tonya, Crystal, Joshua, Nikiya, Robert III, Sherman Jr, Broderick, and Larry Jr.; numerous great-grandchildren; devoted friends: Bernard Gillis, Tony Byrd, Melvin Mornings, Debbie Arrington, Bridgette Jones, Gayle Minton, Winston Walker, James Coleman, Robert Johnson, Susan Young, Gayle Young, Sherman Hurrye, James Brown, Paul and Warlean Warren; his lifetime soldering friends, MSGT Finley, MSGT Burke, SFC Franklin, and a host of cousins and friends. Dewey graduated from the Union County Public School System and enlisted into the United States Army in 1952. He continued his education at John Tyler College and Saint Leo University. He was a soldier in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). He was a Vietnam and Korea veteran. He was honorably discharged and retired from Fort Lee, Virginia, with 22 years of military service. SFC Dewey Blake was very passionate about defending and serving his country, and upon his retirement, he continued to serve his country at the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation for 33 years. He has dedicated a total of 55 years to his country. SFC Dewey worked at Sears and Roebuck during his military career and was admired by his colleagues for his patient and professional demeanor. He was awarded top salesmanship continuously while employed with Sears and Roebucks. All who encountered Dewey never forgot his words of wisdom. All who knew him have a special memory or words to share about Dewey (Pops). He was a warm-hearted and magnanimous person and enjoyed serving others. He served several organizations within the community such as American Red Cross, Easter Seals, food drives, and Ukrops Cancer Walk. He advocated and supported the Children’s Baptist Home of Chesterfield. He was regarded as a very dedicated leader at Defense Logistics Supplier Aviation Center and was called “Tops” from his soldiers. SFC Dewey was a sports car and motorcyclist enthusiast and received first prize. He was an active member of the National Corvette Owners Association (NOCA) and Spyder Riders of American Old Dominion Chapter. He was a member and supported the National Corvette Museum Honoring Vets’N Vettes. He enjoyed driving his Spyder motorcycle and took many trips across the country on it. Dewey also enjoyed fishing and the calming effect of the sea. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2014, and 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014, at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rte. 10). His funeral service will be held on February 4, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 1701 Turner Road, N. Chesterfield, VA 23225. Interment will be held following at 2:00 p.m. in the Virginia Veteran Cemetery, Amelia. Flowers are welcome, or contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Ct. Glen Allen, VA 23060.