Howard Blake Jr.

Howard “Barney” Blake, Jr., age 79, passed away at Signature Health Care in Columbia, Tennessee on April 3, 2014.

Howard was born on July 29, 1934 in Sheffield, Alabama to the late Opal Howard Blake, Sr. and the late Oleta Danley Blake. On June 4, 1954 he married the love of his life, Carolyn Lucile Ezell and their 59 years together produced four children, to whom he was extremely dedicated.

Mr. Blake was a member of First Baptist Church in Columbia. He moved to Columbia when he took a job at Shay Chemical. Later, he worked for the Maury County Sheriff’s Department for 12 years. He then served as a security guard at the Columbia Mall and for American Banknote. He loved his career as a security guard and his time with the Sheriff’s Department. He also enjoyed CB radios and was a licensed HAM Radio operator.

Howard is survived by his loving wife: Carolyn Ezell Blake of Columbia; son: James Howard (Becky) Blake of Clemson, South Carolina; daughters: Carol (Mac) MacMillan and Denise (Tony) Brunson of Columbia; grandchildren: Brandon (Haley) Blake of Greenville, SC, Josh (Kat) Bozeman of Columbia, Caitlin Blake of Clemson, SC, Samantha Bozeman and Blake Brunson of Columbia; great-grandchildren: Katie Bozeman of Columbia and Tillman Blake of Greenville, SC. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter: June Denise Blake.

Funeral services for Mr. Blake will be conducted on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Tommy Vann officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .