2018 Third Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY SENATOR MILKOVICH
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Norma Jernigan Blake, wife of Pastor Harry Blake, retired pastor of Mount
Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Norma Jernigan Blake was born to Claude and Nancy Gilliam Jernigan
on January 22, 1938, in Bethany, Texas, and she died, surrounded by her family, in
Shreveport on April 21, 2018, at the age of eighty, having suffered a massive stroke; and
WHEREAS, Norma Jernigan graduated from Booker T. Washington High School
in Shreveport in 1957, and that is where she met Harry Blake, her eventual husband and the
man that she adored every day from the moment they were married on August 31, 1958; and
WHEREAS, the Blakes were married for a joyous and rewarding fifty-nine years,
a testament to the depth of their love and the totality of their commitment to each other that
began on that August day in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Norma Blake and her pastor husband, Harry, were blessed with four
children, two daughters, Elizabeth and Monica, and two sons, Harry and Rodney, and Mrs.
Blake adored her children, their spouses, and her sixteen grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, while Pastor Harry Blake is widely known as an icon of the Civil Rights
movement, Norma Blake took a less public role, which was not a passive role but one of
support as a very important member of a two-person team that fought untiringly for justice
and equality; and
WHEREAS, Norma Blake was known as the "First Lady" of Mount Canaan Baptist
Church, and she was an active member of the congregation throughout her husband's
fifty-two year tenure at the church; and
WHEREAS, Norma Blake was active at Mount Canaan beyond her role as wife of
the pastor, organizing a children's summer reading program, etiquette workshops and
training for teenage girls, and a women's ministry; and
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WHEREAS, she served as a premarriage counselor to many couples at the church,
and she was a speaker at various events at both Mount Canaan and other congregations; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Blake was a member of the Thirteenth District Missionary Baptist
Association Women's Auxiliary and the Louisiana State Baptist Organization, and she was
a certified personal care attendant; and
WHEREAS, Norma Blake was the recipient of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Incorporated, "Woman of Distinction Award", and Mount Canaan established the "Norma
Blake Living Legend Award" in Mrs. Blake's honor, which annually recognizes Christian
women for their service; and
WHEREAS, Norma Jernigan Blake was dedicated to her faith, her husband and
family, and her church family, all of whom she served faithfully and with great joy, blessing
each with her Christian charity and love, making her life and the memory of her an example
for all to follow and cherish.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Norma Jernigan Blake, wife of
Pastor Harry Blake, retired pastor of Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport,
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Pastor Harry Blake, beloved husband of Norma Jernigan Blake.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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