Elizabeth P. (Bettye) Blake

Elizabeth P. (Bettye) Blake, of Benton, after 100+ years on this earth, has gone to her eternal home to be with her Lord. Born on March 27, 1912, in North Little Rock, Ark., she was the second daughter of Max J. and Helen J. Pruniski. She lost her mother when she was three years old and was reared by her father and grandmother. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary Academy in Little Rock in 1927, and married Christopher Patrick (Pete) Blake in 1940 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in North Little Rock. In 1969 she and her husband moved to Benton, Ark. where they built and operated a thoroughbred horse farm, breeding, raising, and racing thoroughbreds. Bettye was very active in various civic organizations. She helped found the Junior League in North Little Rock, but was most proud of her work in her church. From her baptism till her death she was an active member of the Catholic faith. She served all of the Catholic schools that her children attended, as well as all of the parishes where her family members belonged. Up until just a few years ago she was a devoted, scheduled adorer of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Benton, where she had been an active member for 42 years. Her husband, Pete, died in 1996, but she continued to live on their farm, until a year ago when she moved to Mt. Carmel Community. She was also preceded in death by her two sisters, Marie Morrissey and Phil Wilkins and their husbands. She is survived by her sons, Max and his wife Jean and Jimmy and his wife Becky all of Benton, Chris and his wife Penny of Haymarket, Va., and her daughter Betty Anne Redson and her husband Jim of Larkspur, Colo. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Beth Blake and her husband Michael Lebrun of Rockville, Md., Patrick Blake and his wife Christi of Marion, Ark., Max Blake Jr. and his wife Beth of Bartlett, Tenn., Matt Blake and his wife Lacie of Benton, Ark., Ryan Blake and his wife Roxi of Rogers, Ark., Sean Blake and his wife Sarah of Ashburn, Va., Blake Redson and his wife Sara of Denver, Colo., and Marie Redson also of Denver. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. G.G. (for great grandmother) as she was known to all was very devoted to her family, whom she loved so much. Her pallbearers, who will carry her to her final earthly resting place, will be her eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School and to Saline Memorial Hospice House where she so peacefully spent the last few weeks of her long life on this earth. The warm loving care she received during her last days was not only a blessing to her but a blessing to her whole family as well. A Rosary service will be held at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, followed by visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at Our Lady of Fatima Church followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.