Obituary of Avis Ellen (Gray) Blake

Avis E. (Gray) Blake, 90, of 154 Shore Drive, beloved wife of the late Earle Blake, died Saturday morning at her home in Gorham, ME following a brief illness. Born in Beverly, she was the daughter of the late George W. And Charlotte H. (Clark) Gray. She lived in the Beverly area in her youth and graduated from Beverly High School. She later lived in Peabody at the Blake Farm House, then on Styles Pond in Boxford for over 25 years before moving back to Peabody. Mrs. Blake worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse and occassionally was assigned to Nursing Homes in that capacity. She later joined her husband, and together they owned and operated the West Boxford Village Store for 20 years from 1959 to 1978. She was a very active member of the South Congregational Church in Peabody, enjoyed braiding rugs, upholstery, and visiting with her many friends on the North Shore and in Maine. She is survived by: one brother, George Gray of Danvers; two sons-in-law, Bill Rust of Gorham, ME and Richard Milteer of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren, Bruce Rust of Sebago, ME, Alan Rust, Richard Rust, Carol Wyman and Betsy Peters, all of Gorham, ME, Blake Milteer of Denver, CO, and Joel Milteer of Chattanooga, TN; 10 great-grandchildren;, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Earle Blake, and two daughters, Charlotte Sue Rust and Constance Milteer. Her Funeral Ceremony will be held on Saturday at 11 AM in the South Congregational Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Urn burial will follow in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Cremation ceremony planned with Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com to sign guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to the South Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 60 Prospect St., Peabody, MA 01960.