Geraldine M. Blake

          Geraldine (Gerrie) Marie Brandon Blake, born January 30, 1946 departed this earthly life on Saturday, May 21 and entered into eternal everlasting life with the Lord.  She passed peacefully surrounded by her family at home listening to the music she loved most, Gospel music.  She was the second born child of the late Jeanette Frances Jones Brandon and David Easily Brandon, Sr.

     Leaving behind to mourn are her three children, son, Sinclair E. Blake, Jr. and his wife Tove of Seattle, WA; daughter, Veronica E. Blake Williams of Seattle, Washington; daughter Jennifer L. Blake Davis and her husband Miles of Kingston, NY; her most beloved grandson, Blaize Sinclair Davis; and one Aunt, Jeannette Bumphus of New Hampshire. 

     Missing Gerrie forever are six sisters, Rosella (Bob) Curry and Leslie Easter of Florida.  Francine Hylton, Marlene (Linca) Scarlett, Alvina Francis and Mark, and Pamela (Troy) Mackey all of Kingston, NY.  Her three brothers, David (Kim) Brandon, Jr., Maryland; Marlo Brandon, Sr., and Laura Jean of Kingston, NY and Ronald (Jocelyn) Brandon, Sr., of Texas. Also a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She will be missed by sister-in-law Doris Whitton of Jamaica, West Indies, brother-in-law Rudolph Whitton of Jamaica, West Indies and Ferdinand Taylor of Washington, DC. She leaves behind to mourn her Godchildren, Timothy Gaton, Sr., Jasmine Barrow, Andre Washington, Sr., Imani Francis, Andre Washington, Jr., Jalani Crooks, Janya Crooks, Taudriana Gaton, Timothy Gaton, Jr., and Tyanna Gaton.  There could be more godchildren because Gerrie loved everyone and took them all under her wing. Gerrie will be missed by a large group of church family and very dear friends, especially life long friend Aileen DiMicco and special friends Sue Dudek and Marge Bryngelson who were her traveling buddies`.

     Gerrie is predeceased by her husband, Sinclair E. Blake, Sr., Grandfather, Harold (Bo) Jones, parents, Jeanette and David Brandon, Sr., sister Judith Gaton and her precious granddaughter Angelika Williams.

     Sister Gerrie was very involved in her church, Pointe of Praise Family Life Center, under the guidance of Reverend James and Lady Dorothy Childs. She was a Mother of the church, served as a part-time Usher, a Deaconess, Kitchen Committee and Women’s Club. She was a very devout Christian and dedicated her life to serving God and helping others.

      Gerrie was very athletic as a youngster and in high school, before Title IX, she played CYO sports and enjoyed volleyball, softball and excelled in basketball. She was a star basketball player, getting many writeups in the Kingston Freeman.

     She was the first recipient of the NAACP Ulster County Community College scholarship in Kingston.  With the scholarship came an internship with Central Hudson Gas and Electric for the summer. At the end of the summer she was hired full-time and she ended up spending 35 years at Central Hudson until her retirement in 2000 for medical reasons.

     Gerrie was a lifelong Kingstonian. She was a Kingston High School graduate, Class of 1964. She loved her city and the people in it. She was on the Toys for Tots committee, WKNY radio station to raise funds and toys for families in the community.  She was a community minded person through and through making sure anyone that had a need for food or other resources she would get them to the right place or give them what they needed herself.

     She loved to travel.  If there was a bus, ship or plane that was leaving Gerrie was ready to go.  She was very fortunate that she had a husband who loved travel as much if not more than she, therefore together they were able to explore so much of the world.  She traveled every chance she got.

     To say Gerrie was a fighter is an understatement.  She fought so many illnesses.  Truly with the grit of a warrior.  Her final bout was a valiant one many would have given up on, but not Gerrie.  She fought with every ounce of her body and soul.  She said she was carrying out God’s Plan.  Everything is in God’s hands, no matter what the doctors or anyone else says.

     When we thought no more, she surprised us over and over again.  And she held on for God’s Plan.

     Entrusted to the care of Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY.  Funeral services Saturday, May 28^th, at Riverview Missionary Baptist Church, 240 Catherine St., 10-12 Viewing, Funeral at 12:00. Internment in Wiltwyck Cemetery. 

     The family requests memorial contributions be made to Pointe of Praise Family Life Center, 243 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, NY.  Please leave messages of condolence at www.KeyserFuneralServices.com.