Rev. Joseph Waylon "Joe" Blake

Funeral services for Rev. Joseph Waylon “Joe” Blake, 76, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Larry Hinsley officiating. Interment will follow in the Sand Flat Cemetery. Rev. Blake was born January 22, 1940 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Wessie Rosella (Havard) and Elbert Bennis Blake, and died Thursday, October 13, 2016 in a local hospital. Rev. Blake resided in Lufkin most of his life. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and became one of the volleyball players on the Air Force team; he loved traveling from place to place playing volleyball. When he was older, Rev. Blake put together a softball team with family members and played for numerous years in Lufkin. He was a well-known contractor in the area for 27 years, and was a member of Faith Community Ministries Church. Rev. Blake was a minister with the Congregational Methodist Church, and church was his passion. Church had always come first. He was a devout Christian and wanted all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know and love God. Rev. Blake loved God, and he had to tell everyone about Him. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they were his world. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruby Yvonne (Hanks) Blake; daughters and son, Vonnda Seale and husband Ken of Lufkin, Sonya Honeycutt and husband Mike of De Berry, and Waylon Blake of Lufkin; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Bernice Wiesinger of Diboll; brothers, Olen Blake of Beulah, and Bennis Berlon Blake and wife Arvis Jean of Lufkin; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughters, Shea Seale and Camryn Collins; brothers, Carlton Blake and Elton Blake; and niece, Stephanie Kimling Davis. Pallbearers will be Seth McMillon, Bryce Blake, Trace Blake, Zayne Blake, Cade Graves and Lanny Carnley. Honorary pallbearers will be David Kimling, Colby Acevedo, and Butch Carnley. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.