Rev. Alicia J. Blake

Rev. Alicia J. Blake

HAGERSTOWN - Rev. Alicia J. Blake, 50, formerly of Hagerstown, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at the Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y.

Born May 5, 1957 in Winchester, Va., she was the daughter of the late Harmon G. and Mary L. (Davis) Byrd Sr.

She was the wife of Pastor JT Blake of Buffalo.

Pastor Alicia was a graduate of James Wood High School, Frederick County, Va., class of 1975. She also graduated from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Arts. Alicia later obtained her Masters of Divinity Degree from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.

She was currently the Pastor of Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church in Buffalo.

In addition to her husband JT, Alicia is survived by a son, Durrell W. Blake of Amherst, N.Y.; a sister, Cecily and husband Dennis Haston of Winchester; a brother, Harmon and wife Clarissa Byrd Jr. of Winchester; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 7 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Greater Campher Temple, King's Apostle Holy Church, 125 W. Bethel St., Hagerstown, with the Rev. Darin Mency officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.

The Graveside Committal service will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2008 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown.

Pastor Alicia's top three loves in life were being a Wife, Mother, and Pastor. She had a great love for music, directed several choirs and has been singing in choirs since high school. Alicia served as Pastor in the Cumberland area at Davis Memorial and McKendree United Methodist Churches. She also served at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Front Royal, Va.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1037 Haven Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21742 or the American Diabetes Association, 3120 Lord Baltimore Dr., Suite 106, Baltimore, MD 21244.

The Gerald N. Minnich Funeral Home, Bryan K. Kenworthy P.A., 305 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, has been entrusted with the arrangements.