Jeffrey Cornelius Blake

Nov. 6, 2000 - Nov. 7, 2022

Never afraid of a challenge, highly competitive, always ready for the next big game, and continually seeking to pull crazy pranks on his younger sister, our beloved son Jeffrey C. Blake unexpectedly passed away on November 7, 2022. It was the day after his beautiful 22nd birthday.

His Sunday birthday had been marvelously blessed with a strong worship and church service, a prayer of blessing by an elderly woman, and Jeffrey’s request to purchase his very own Bible as a special birthday gift.

Despite our unspeakable and deep sorrow with his passing, we know that Jeffrey is with his beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is our only comfort in his life and death. We will see Jeffrey again, and oh what a day of rejoicing that will be.

Jeffrey was born in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) for his Junior High and High School years, and excelled at both football and basketball. He was known for his hard work on and off the field, gifted athletic talents, and love of cafeteria sandwiches that he would stuff into his backpack at every lunch hour to eat right before a practice.

Jeffrey won many athletic awards and honors, and was recruited by more than 25 Division I Universities, including 15 P5 teams, to play football. With a desire to return home to Southern California, Jeffrey opted to play at San Diego State University (SDSU) for his first year of college football. Following an on-again, off-again uncertain football season during his second year due to the Covid pandemic, Jeffrey then transferred to the University of New Mexico (UNM) to play for an esteemed former SDSU Coach, Rocky Long. Jeffrey left UNM in January 2022, with plans to pursue opportunities in arena and semi-professional football.

Jeffrey always wanted to be the first one on the field and the last one out of the locker room. He highly respected his coaches, and sought to excel to make them proud. He bonded with his teammates, and supported them on and off the field. But family was Jeffrey’s first love, and he would do anything to protect them. He especially adored his sister Vandela, and from the earliest years would find new and creative ways to prank her on a daily basis, pull silly stunts, and create complete chaos, all in an attempt to annoy her and/or just get her to scream.

In addition to football and basketball (which Jeffrey still practiced almost daily after his high school years), Jeffrey was very disciplined with weight lifting, and diligently set and pursued long-term goals to increase his strength and explosiveness on the field of play.

Wherever he was, Jeffrey also loved to skateboard the local city streets and parks. He enjoyed long morning jogs with his mom around Balboa Island, California. He frequently ate his dinners on a nearby patio under the stars.

But the day after his 22nd birthday, our beloved Jeffrey Cornelius Blake unexpectedly left us.

Jeffrey will be greatly missed by his Mother Laura Lee, his Father Jeff, his Sister Vandela, his maternal Nana Carol Van Velzen, his paternal Grandparents Judy and Darrel Blake, his loving Aunts, Uncles, Cousins (especially Cornelius, Caroline, Cosette, Connor, Taylor, Christian, and Jessalyn) and many, many great friends, teammates, coaches and teachers.

We know Jeffrey is now with his Grandfather Cornelius Van Velzen and his Aunt Sue Ellen Doctor, and is loved here on earth as well as in heaven.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dignity Memorial, Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

Jeffrey’s Funeral / Memorial will be offered at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 21, 2022 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, with a reception to follow.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, Jeffrey’s family would appreciate donations to the Greater Atlanta Christian School football program, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, or to another charity of your choice.

We LOVE and MISS you so very much Jeffrey. We will carry you in our hearts. Forever & Ever.

Blake family.