Mary Alice Blake

Mary Alice Matthews Blake, 91, was born on Febuary 3, 1935 in Enola, Arkansas, to Byron Sewell and Easter Elizabeth (Heffington) Matthews. She passed into God’s hands on March 21, 2026 at the Healthcare Resort of Olathe in Olathe, Kansas. She married Gary Dean Blake in Searcy, Arkansas on November 21, 1956. They met in the Dactyology Club at Harding College. Mary had two deaf brothers and was fluent in American Sign Language. She was born in a log cabin, and was the youngest of 8 children. As many in her era did, she picked cotton and strawberries to help earn money for her family. Although she grew up poor, she built two successful businesses as a childcare provider, and a gift shop owner in Weston, MO.

Mary was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ. She most recently attended the Southpoint Church of Christ in Kansas City, Missouri. Mary attended Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas for three years until she and Gary married. She followed Gary throughout their almost 60 years of marriage literally around the world. After leaving Searcy, they moved to Washington, D.C., and the following year, to Faribault, Minnesota. In 1962, they left with their two oldest children for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Mary was instrumental in the work there, teaching the Ethiopians English. In 1963, they returned to Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 1968, they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they lived for 12 years. During this time, Mary became a childcare provider. In 1982, they moved to Overland Park, Kansas. Mary was very active in the church there providing meals to the sick and to families who lost family members. Mary continued with her childcare until she was 85 years old. She loved children. In 2006, Gary accepted a position as a minister at the First Church of Peculiar, in Peculiar, Missouri, where Mary was active in the potlucks, and visiting church members.

Mary was an excellent baker and cook. She was very hospitable and was always having people over for meals. She made delicious breads, rolls and cinnamon rolls and everyone felt special when she delivered them. Her hospitality and graciousness was known by all who knew her. Mary traveled the world and loved traveling. She loved spending time with her family. She loved finding deals and loved going to garage sales. She most recently loved the Game Show Network and her favorite shows were The Price Is Right and Family Feud. Mary served her community and God her entire life. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, sister and friend to all she knew.

Survivors are her children, Elizabeth (Michael) Straughn of Lenexa, KS; Lisa Blake of Upper Peninsula, MI; Joseph Blake of Kansas City, MO; and Jennifer (Mark) Hardesty of Overland Park, Kansas; and daugher-in-law, Pattie Blake of Whitehouse, TX. Grandchildren: Rebecca Paterson of Conroe, TX; Mary Rachal (GW) Shaw of Abilene, TX; Joanna (Jonathan) Knight of Conroe, TX; Jaynie (Matt) Blaemire of Spring Hill, KS; Kayla (Curt) Hassler of Grain Valley, MO; Bethany (Jared) Walters of Spring Hill, KS; Blake Hardesty of Overland Park, KS; Blake Straughn of Lenexa, KS; Aaron Blake, Jon (Rachel) Blake, Landen Blake, and Lily Blake of Whitehouse, TX. She had 14 Great Grandchildren. Also, surviving are a host of nieces and nephews as well as dear friends.

Preceding her in death: her husband, Gary D. Blake of Overland Park, KS; oldest son, Matthew Blake of Whitehouse, TX; parents: Byron Sewell and Easter Elizabeth Matthews of Enola, AR; brothers and sisters-in-law: Raymond (Hazel) Matthews of Graton, CA; Joseph Dee (Nina) Matthews of Sebastopol, CA; Paul (Emma) Matthews of Conway, AR; Wallace (Violet) Matthews of Heber Springs, AR; Edsel Matthews of Enola, AR; Elwin Matthews of Springfield, MO; and only sister and brother-in-law, Ravanell (Rayburn) Wooley of Enola, AR. Mary was the last of her generation in our family. She survived all of her siblings and cousins.

Pall bearers will be: Blake Straughn, Aaron Blake, Jon Blake, Landen Blake, Levi Paterson, Matt Blaemire, Jared Walters, and Curt Hassler.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. followed by the celebration service at 2:00 P.M. at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas 66210. The burial will immediately follow in the Johnson County Memorial Gardens on the property. Following the burial will be a reception in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to: Southpoint Church of Christ, 101 Red Bridge Rd., K.C., MO, 64114.