Obituary of Larry Franklin Blake II

Larry Franklin Blake, II was born on December 26, 1976 in Strafford, NJ. He was the first born son of his loving parents Larry Blake Sr. and Lori Williams Blake. He was a caring big brother to Brian Blake and Ashlee Henderson. He grew up in Albion and Sicklerville, NJ. He was one of the original Winslow Maullers football team. He was in Jr. ROTC and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1995. He went on to obtain a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in history from Rowan University in 2000, and a master’s degree from Wilmington College in (insert year). While attending a national black leadership conference in Richmond, Virginia he met his wife Jammie Jackson. They married on September 2, 2006 and God blessed them with two beautiful daughters Jordyn Nycole Blake (11) and Drew Savannah Blake (9). Larry was a proud girl dad and loved watching his girls dance, cheer, run track and even sell girl scout cookies. He was the proud God father to Taylor Ann Barnes, Monticello Ruiz-Garcia, and Laila Amora Henderson. He was a family man and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews; Aunts and cousins. Larry was born to teach. He began his teaching career in Camden NJ at Cramer Elementary School in 2000. He taught in the district for 23years. Over the years he taught multiple grade levels from Kindergarten to 8th grade. He taught at a number of schools throughout the district including Sharp, Davis, and Veterans Memorial family school. He loved his students and his colleagues and was an extraordinary advocate for the Camden Education Community. He was a proud member of various unions; including the Camden Education Association, CCCEA , NJEA, and NEA. He served proudly over the years in a number of positions including Grievance chairperson, membership chairperson, budget committee, building representative, CEA executive team, election committee, personnel committee, social club, negotiations chairperson, 2nd VP and at the time of his passing he was currently serving as the 1st Vice President. He was a member of the Minority Leadership Cadre. He also served as his local county representative in CCCEA. He was a representative of the Urban Education Committee. He served as a NEA representative and assembly delegate for the state. He was a Bolivar Graham Apprentice Fellowship in 2014. He attended workshops and conferences throughout the state. He was elected to the Winslow Township School Board for 3 consecutive terms and served proudly for 9 years. During his service he served on the Education Committee, Marketing Committee, and DEI committee. Blake as he was often referred to as; was also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. He pledged in 2014 and his line name was 50/50 “fiffdy”. He was a very funny guy and his smile and laugh were contagious. He loved trivia and watching TV. He loved reality TV shows so much that he tried out for several TV and game shows and was in the studio audience of several shows as well. He loved cooking for family gatherings and learning the latest line dances with his aunts and cousins. No matter where he was, he always made you smile. He loved the Lord and was saved at an early age. He was baptized at Christ Care Unit Missionary Baptist church and Cathedral by Bishop Robert F. Hargrove, Sr. He later became a founding member of Cornerstone Community Church; where he served in the children’s ministry. For years he directed vacation bible school and taught children’s church. He was ordained as a Deacon by Pastor Ralph D. Graves, Jr. in 2013. He sang in various gospel choirs including the Rowan University Gospel Choir, John Howard and the End-Time Levites; the Charles A. Barnes II Reunion choir and the Cornerstone Community Church Praise and Worship team. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Jammie, and his daughters Jordyn Nycole Blake and Drew Savannah Blake. His mother and father Larry and Lori Blake. His brother Brian Blake (Janette), his sister Ashlee Henderson (Taalib); Mother-in law Mary Jordan, Sister-in law Deatrice Crawley. His nieces and nephews Monticello Ruiz-Garcia, Laila Amora Henderson, Chase Taalib Henderson, Love Lee Henderson, and Amir Blake, his God Mother Aunt Bobbi Gould and his Aunts Toni LaBelle, Gwendolyn Blake-Ware, Kim Blake-Jones, Vicki (Frank) Whaley, Aunt Maggie Campbell and a host of Cousins, friends, colleagues and students. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Thomas and Irene Williams and William and Martha Blake. His Uncle Thomas Williams. His Aunt Brenda Oden. His Aunt Mozelle Hawkins and Aunt Alma and Uncle Willie Thompson. He touched the lives of many and he will never be forgotten. Now in God’s arms but always in our hearts.