Ouida Beverly Blake

Ouida Beverly Blake, 92, passed away on August 24, 2019.  Her smile, good nature and sense of style will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Ouida was born September 27, 1926 in Sunset, Texas to J. Hubert Spaulding and Vera Ruth (McFall) Spaulding.  Soon after her birth the family relocated north to Tuttle, Oklahoma, where her father managed a barber shop and her mother helped with the McFall family farm.  At the age of 12, the family moved to Tipton, Oklahoma where her father purchased his own barber shop.  In the midst of the Dust Bowl, Ouida always claimed that Tipton was an exciting place to grow up.  She spoke fondly of her community, riding her bicycle everywhere, high school basketball and her many activities.  Her class of 1944 remained close friends for years with many attending their 60th class reunion.

With it being World War II and her father in the U.S. Navy, the family spent 1945 in California.  Returning to Oklahoma, Ouida began college at the University of Oklahoma in 1946, studying Art and Interior Design.  In 1947, she met Joe Blake, an OU Baseball player on a blind date.  Their relationship grew and they dated throughout college.  After marrying in 1950, and her graduation in 1951, Ouida and Joe enjoyed his career in professional baseball.  Joe played in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois between 1951 and 1954.

With the birth of their first son Cameron, they chose to return to Norman with Ouida beginning a career in Graphic Design at Tinker Air Force Base.  After various positions in Art and Design, she retired and finished her professional career in 1988 as manager of the OU Architecture Bookstore.  Being close friends with the McGee family, Ouida also worked at Sand-Mark Gifts for 35 years in a part time capacity. 

After retirement Ouida worked as a Docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for 10 years.  She was a member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church since 1954, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and youth sponsor.  As life members of the University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, Joe and Ouida were avid OU supporters.  Ouida was also a member of the local Black Beaver Chapter of DAR.

Ouida is survived by son J. Cameron Blake and wife, Chris of San Diego, CA.  Son Linden Blake of Norman and daughter Dallas Chapman and husband Greg of Norman.  Grandchildren Danielle Batson of Moore, OK, Ryan Blake and wife Jennifer of Austin, TX,  Meredith Chapman and Messina Chapman of Norman.  Great-grandchildren Cameron L. Blake and Adrienne Blake.

Ouida was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Joe M. Blake, father J. Hubert Spaulding, mother Vera R. Spaulding and brother, J. H. Spaulding.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Havenbrook Funeral Home, Norman.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 5th at 1:00 p.m. at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, Norman.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, OK.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, PO Box 6390, Norman, OK 73070.