Lula Blake
October 9, 1939 – September 5, 2016
On Monday, October 9, 1939, Carl and Elsie Johnson were blessed with a beautify baby girl, their first born, Lula Annette, in Tyler, Texas. Although she was named after her paternal grandmother, Lula, she was affectionately called “Ante” for many years. Ante was the pride and joy of her parents. She had a permanent seat on her father’s shoulder because that’s where he carried her– everywhere he went. Annette was also her mother’s beautiful flower.
Her parents moved to San Diego when she was three to pursue a better life in sunny California. Annette was a brilliant child. She attended Logan Elementary School, Memorial Junior and San Diego High School. She was an outstanding student. She also attended Sunday School at Bethel Baptist Church every Sunday. Her church service afforded her the opportunity to participate in civic and community service at an early age. She was also debutante.
Annette completed high school early. She fell in love and married her high school sweetheart, Gerald “ Jerry” Dayle Blake. Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force and their life as Mr. and Mrs. Blake began. They traveled to many places as a military family; Guam, Hawaii, Merced, Sacramento and Denver just to name a few. During their journeys, they were blessed with three beautiful children, Joi Lin, Mark Dayle and Timothy Carlyle Blake.
Annette was excellent at what she decided to pursue. She was a Nurse Assistance in Merced, Reservation Agent for United Airlines in Denver, Youth Counselor for the City of San Diego, and District Counselor for San Diego City Schools in San Diego. She also was a key player of the Race / Human Relations and Advocacy team for San Diego City Schools. Annette’s life path encompassed, curiosity, progress, adventure, opportunity, dedication, service and brilliance and most of all, love of family.
Annette was an advocate of higher education, so it was natural for her to have received her Bachelor and Master Degree, both from San Diego State University. She also received her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management in 2010. She was an intrinsically well read and learned person. She was Dr. Lula Annette Johnson Blake.
Annette’s brother, Walter Mitchell transitioned before her in 1974. Her essence will be missed by her daughter, Joi Lin Blake of San Diego; her sons, Mark Dayle Blake of Berkeley, CA and Timothy Carlyle Blake of Connecticut; three grandsons, Tyler, Julien and Tristen; her sister, Zakiyyah Johnson-Salaam; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and many, many friends and her loving pet, Max. Services were held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary, Memory Chapel; Interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
