Funeral services for Mrs. Theda Blondell Wilkerson Lake, age 91, of the Dotson Community in Panola County, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at Eastside Baptist Church in Gary, TX with Bro. Dale Walker, Dr. P.A. DuBose, and Bro. Calvin Hancock officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Bethel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Lake passed away on Monday morning, Feb. 14, 2011, at her home in Dotson.

Theda Blondell Wilkerson Lake was born on Feb. 4, 1920, in Panola County, TX to Burl F. and Clara Josephine Grafton Wilkerson. Mrs. Lake graduated from Gary High School with the class of 1938. She married Troy Leander Lake on Feb. 4, 1939, in Panola County and he preceded her in death on Apr. 25, 2007, after 68 years of marriage. Mrs. Lake was a faithful member of the Eastside Baptist Church in Gary where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for many years. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Grace Dean Wilkerson Burns; and two great-grandchildren, Harrison and Ali Steele.

Mrs. Lake is survived by four sons, Troy Lynn Lake and wife Jeanette of Gary, Walter Lake and wife Billie of Longview, Joe Lake and wife Judy of Henderson, and Maxie Lake and wife Janice of Gary; one daughter, Judy Stuart and husband Chilton of Carthage; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a special nephew, Sidney Burns and wife Connie of the Murvaul Community; special friends, Gary Rogerson and wife Kathy of Clayton; and special caregivers, Clovers Matlock, Beverly Walker, and Elena Williams. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends also survive Mrs. Lake.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Heart's Way Hospice and Mrs. Mari Miller for the loving care given to Mrs. Lake.

Serving as pallbearers are Dwain Lake, Brad Lake, Chad Lake, Kevin Lake, Kyle Lake, Jeremy Stuart, and Trae Stuart.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Kyle Moore, Sidney Burns, Gary Rogerson, Steve Strain, Allan Preddy, and Jason Steele.

If desired, memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1996 F.M. 999, Gary, TX 75643 or Mt. Bethel Cemetery Assn., c/o Mr. James Grafton, 825 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.