Memorial Service Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023
Memorial Service Time: 12:00 PM
Memorial Service Location: Postell’s Mortuary Chapel
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida
Obituary:
Cathy Blake-Richards, 58, departed this life on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Cathy was born in the Bronx, NY to the late Freddie E. Blake Sr. and Julia Fleming Blake on November 20, 1964. She was the second youngest of fifteen children.
Cathy was educated in the New York School system until the age of 11, when her family moved to Charleston, SC. She attended Charleston High School until 1982, then Cathy transferred to Burke High School and graduated in 1983. While in high school, Cathy enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program with the United States Navy and after finishing the Pre-Nursing program at Trident Technical College in 1984, Cathy started Navy recruit training in Orlando, FL. She then attended Naval Hospital Corps School to become a Hospital Corpsman. Cathy spent time working at sea on Carnival Cruise Line’s Tropicale from 1989 to 1991. Cathy was gifted with military experiences and technical skills to share. As an avid learner, Cathy continued her education and completed courses to earn certification in her varied fields of study. Over the years, Cathy worked as a Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, and Licensed Real Estate Agent. Cathy was a people-person and her friendly disposition easily contributed to her success.
Cathy and Kenrick Richards were united in holy matrimony in 1991. From this union came the blessing of their son Trey Malik Richards, born in 1995. Cathy and Trey had a special relationship and shared an unbreakable bond. Cathy always said her mom had one half of her heart and Trey had the other. Cathy also developed a nurturing relationship with her stepson, Shayne Renato Richards. Cathy was well known and loved by many. She was knee high to a grasshopper when her maternal grandmother told her to always smile and the world would smile back at you, and Cathy’s infectious smile lit up every space. With her magnetic personality, no one remained a stranger to Cathy for long. Everyone who knew or met Cathy enjoyed the privilege of being in her company. Cathy recognized she was blessed and loved to be a blessing to others. When words touched her heart, Cathy shared them through inspirational messages, encouragement to trust in God, and scriptures that guided her life. Valuing her ancestral heritage, Cathy demonstrated the quintessential Anguillan spirit that continually pushed her to overcome insurmountable odds. Cathy always said, “Never say goodbye, just so long.”
Cathy is survived by her loving son Trey Malik Richards; stepson, Shayne Renato Richards; siblings, Margaret B. Brown, Charles A. Blake, Vincent R. Blake Sr., Gail M. Blake, Felicia B. Cummings (Arnold Sr.), Louis R. Blake, Emmajean J. Blake, Harold D. Blake, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, cousins and other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, 12:00 Noon at Postell’s Mortuary Chapel, Orlando with Reverend William Blake Jr., officiating.
8 Comments
My cousin Cathy is greatly missed in every way. Knowing I will never again receive her 7am call greeting me with tons of energy, or her bubbly personality making a grand entrance on Christmas, or her many words of wisdom, makes me feel a deep sadness. But having the memories of times we’ve shared helps ease the overwhelming grief. I will forever cherish my saved voice mails of Cathy’s voice leaving an entire one-sided conversation, giving me every detail of what’s on her mind. I love my family and send my deepest condolences and lots of hugs and love to Cathy’s son Trey, her loving siblings, and the rest of the family.
A flower in the garden that will forever be remembered. Looking at that infections smile says it all . Cousin I will always love and cherish our conversations and words of advice you provided to me. You will be missed but until later,. Sleep on my dear Cousin sleep on. Love always the Ruans and Roberts family in Anguilla.
So long Cuz you have been an inspiration to me
As I read your encouraging words. Sleep on. Will meet you soon.
To the grieving family and Trey please accept my heart felt sympathy and love.
SO LONG KATHY. YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS BLESSED SO MANY.
TO TREY AND FAMILY PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SYMPATHY. YOUR IN OUR PRAYERS.
My Cathy , you became more like a sister to me . We walked together, talked together laughed together about so many things. You inspired me and pushed me when you needed to . You were there for me as much as I was for you . We will miss you daily. To Trey, our prayers and love go out to you,. Stay strong and remember your mom loved your fiercely. To Felicia and the rest of the family my love and deepest sympathies go out to you. We love you all.
Shirley, Pedro and Javaughn.
Sleep on Cathy take your rest till Jesus comes .
Condolence to our family. Never met you Trey. Maybe one day soon you will visit family in Charleston SC. Weeping may endure for a night but “JOY’ comes in the morning,
Deepest condolences for the void left by our dear chatty Cathy. Our loss is God’s blessing to embrace such a vibrate flower in His garden of eternal life. Just above the clouds the sun is still shining. It may not look so bright, but it is there….just like GOD who will always shine with loving care to support us as we grieve.
Family we pray that we all will embrace each other and soon see wonderful ways God’s faithful love is shining through our sadness.
Trey (Professor) stay strong and know that your Mother kept you very close to her heart to surround you to find strength in the memories you can cherish, may you soon find peace with this.
Great Aunt Vivian Paris-Clark & Uncle Jasper Clark and Family in NJ/NY
Today, my dear friend Cathy would have turned 60! I know she is in heaven rejoicing with the Angels! Only God knows how much I miss her. Yes, she got on my last nerve with her rambling and going on, but I would give anything to talk to her right now! I loved that girl like the sister I never had. She met no strangers and she loved unconditionally. Her son, Trey was her everything! I just sent him a text letting him know that she was heavy on my mind today. But actually she is on my mind everyday. Remember that little blue Toyota that she used to sprint around everywhere in….well I bought it from Trey when Cathy passed. She took such good care of that car and I am trying to do it the same justice. God continue to keep your grace and mercy upon Trey and Cathy’s family….and please whisper in her ear today that her friend Laura said happy birthday and I miss her dearly!!
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