Arlene Shireman Blake, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, Arlene was a long-time resident of Newport News, Virginia, where she served the public as a Fiscal Technician for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Marine Resources Commission for 20 distinguished years. 

Prior to and for many years following her retirement, she served the community and the Lord in many ministries of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  She faithfully attended church for several decades, including teaching Sunday School occasionally.  She served as the Church’s librarian, worked in the Children’s Nursery, completed mission work in women’s prisons, and assisted with the planning and coordination of church events including Wednesday’s dinners, summer youth programs, the annual Christmas Tree choir and bake sales.

Arlene loved to travel with family throughout the States and with her Sunday School class.  She attended the Boys and Girls Club swim classes for many years and loved taking care of her plants, trees, and flowers.

Arlene was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-five years, William “Bill” F. Blake, Jr., her son, Baby Boy Blake, parents, Turon and Edna (Preston) Shireman, brothers George, Fred, Richard, Robert, Edward, sister Margaret, and son-in-law Hartmut Jahn.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Ross (John) of Capistrano Beach, CA, and Brenda Jahn of Newport News, VA; sons, William Blake (Summer) of Las Vegas, NV, and David Blake (Deborah) of Yorktown, VA; eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Thomas and her husband Melvin; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Peninsula Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Thursday, June 1, 12:00 p.m., at Peninsula Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.