Gail Tharpe Hunter (Blake) of Raleigh 

August 14, 1939 - June 18, 2026

Gail Tharpe Hunter Blake, 86, died Thursday, June 18, 2026. She was born on August 14, 1939, in Winston-Salem, to the late Lester Swaim Hunter and Ruby Tharpe Hunter. In her early childhood, she lived in Harmony, NC, Iredell County.

As a young girl, Gail and her mother moved to Raleigh, where she lived for the rest of her life. She attended Murphy School, Hugh Morson, and Broughton High School, graduating in 1957. She attended Saint Mary's College, graduating in 1959.

She spent many wonderful summers at her grandparents, A.W. and Carrie Tharpe's farm in Harmony. She grew up in Raleigh's Oakwood neighborhood and at age 14, she met George Phillip Blake, age 17, at the old Pullen Park Pool, they married in the early 1960s.

Gail worked in advertising, hotel sales management and at the NCSU Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab, until age 81. Her most important role, however, was rearing her two sons, Mark and Scott.

Gail was truly one of a kind: honest, expressive, and full of life. She had a beautiful smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and a larger-than-life personality. She possessed a high degree of common sense, a keen eye and excellent taste in clothing and antiques. She was also a gifted cook and was an avid reader throughout her life. 

She enjoyed working in her yard, and watching sports, especially Duke basketball, and any event involving her sons or granddaughters.

Her greatest joy and deepest blessings were Virginia and Anne, whom she adored and who made her life complete.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Blake, 2010; her double first cousins, Emma Lea Tharpe Elledge and Webb Tharpe; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Surviving are her two sons, Phillip Mark Blake and his wife, Angie Brewer Blake, along with their daughters, Virginia Tharpe Blake of Raleigh and Anne Hunter Blake of Richmond; her son, Christopher Scott Blake and his partner, Misty; her beloved cousin, Mary Jo Tharpe Anderson of Statesville, who was like her sister; and other cousins and extended family.

Though we are heartbroken, we find comfort in knowing she is with the Lord and reunited with her beloved mother and husband. Mom, "Nana", was truly one of a kind, and her smile, spirit, and love will live within us forever.

Source of Obituary: The News & Observer, June 26-28, 2026