Marcia Blake Obituary

BLAKE (Whitworth),

Marcia Ruth

Marcia Ruth Whitworth Blake, journalist, photographer, artist, tennis official, writer, mother, grandmother, and martini aficionado, ascended Thursday, September 25, age 89, at her home in Milton, Georgia. Born in July 1936, in Atlanta, to Harry Whitworth, Sr. and the former Evelyn Pounds, she attended Brown High School in Atlanta, where she met her lifelong best friend, Shannon Seagraves. Marcia attended the University of Georgia, where she was a reporter at the student newspaper, The Red and Black. After graduating with her journalism degree, she worked as a journalist and director at TV stations in Atlanta, and later St. Louis.

There she met Marty Blake, general manager of the St. Louis Hawks, and they married in 1961. Together they welcomed two reasonably adequate children, Eliot and Ryan, then moved with the Hawks to Atlanta where Sarah, a third, more acceptable child, completed the family.

A lifelong visual artist, Marcia's true passion was photography. Her artwork was displayed in exhibits and studios throughout the Atlanta area, and she was active in promoting the art of others through Women in Focus, Blue Yonder Studios, and other local organizations. Her creativity extended to other art forms, such as paper making and sculpture.

A consistent theme of her work was the natural world. Her longtime defense of wildlife and the environment extended to her EARTH license plate, which she explained was also a reminder of where we were.

In addition to her art and her appreciation of nature, tennis was a major part of Mom's life. Taking up the sport in the late 70s, she quickly excelled at it and reached the double A level, winning several city ALTA championships. She was a USTA official and served as a linesman at the NCAA Championships, US Open, Davis Cup, and the 1984 LA Olympics. She also was a tournament director, running the City Open at Bitsy Grant and other tournaments throughout Atlanta. Marcia and Ryan won the 1981 sectional Equitable Family Tennis Challenge, earning entry into the National Mother-Son Championships held during the 1981 US Open. She traveled to tournaments worldwide, including opens at Wimbledon, Australia and France.

Marcia loved her kids and grandkids fiercely. Left to cherish her memory and impeccable sense of humor are her children, Eliot (Kelly Fratzke-Blake), Ryan (Medina Walsh), Sarah (Steve Berry); her grandchildren, Elijah, Sarah Jade, Will, Eva, and Daniel; her sister, Barbara Husack; and her brother, Steve Mobley; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; two beloved cats, and a third, evil one; and many wonderful friends and neighbors. She was predeceased by her husband, Marty; her mother, Evelyn; and father, Harry Sr.; her brother, Harry Jr.; her sister, Caroline; and her brother, Rick. The family extends its deepest thanks to Linda, Julia, Fatima, and the staff at Comfort Keepers, for helping Mom stay at home in her final days. A private celebration of life will be held with her close friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to WABE in Atlanta, Georgia, (https://www.wabe.org) or your local public television station.