Donald W. Blake

Donald W. Blake, 75, of Piggott, died Thursday, June 19, 2008, in Murphy Health and Rehabilitation in Piggott.

He was born Aug. 28, 1932, in Piggott, the son of the late Eric E. and Gladys R. Polhamus Blake.

He was united in marriage to Verna Lee Woodard on Sept. 7, 1952, and the couple had two children.

Blake was a member of the South Thornton Church of Christ for over 30 years and was an elder of the church for 25 years. He spent 40 years in construction, building many homes in and around Piggott.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eric and Gladys, and his brother, Bobby Blake.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Lee Blake of Piggott; daughter, Melda Brown of Bryant, Ark.; son, Dennis N. Blake, M.D., and wife Stacey of Piggott; three grandchildren, Nicholas Smotherman, Sandra Shipe and husband Justin, and Natalie Blake; two great-grandchildren, Makayla Shipe and Jordan Shipe; brother, Jack Blake and wife Jennie of Piggott; sister, Roma Richardson and husband Jim of Piggott, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 21, in the South Thornton Church of Christ in Piggott with Ken Burton and Richard Akins officiating. Burial was in Piggott Cemetery. Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott handled the arrangements.