Linda Blake

Linda Kay Sellers Blake, age 79, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2023 at her home in Dallas, Texas. Linda was born March 21, 1943 in Pomona, CA, the daughter of James Clayton Sellers and Gladys Lohman Sellers. Linda grew up in Highland, CA and attended San Bernardino schools, graduating from Pacific High School in 1962. She moved to Plano, Texas in 1970 and remained in the Dallas area until her passing.

Linda’s lifelong passion was horses. Growing up she never missed a chance to go riding. Later in life she owned and showed dressage horses and spent many years at dressage shows all over Texas. She said some of her happiest times were spent at the barn. To the end, she reminisced about her beloved horse King and all the championships he won. She was on the advisory board of the therapeutic riding organization Equest and served on The Equest Board of Directors and was also on the Texas Horse Park foundation board.

Linda enjoyed traveling the world with her husband Bill. They visited many countries during their 31 years together. They had so many unforgettable travel experiences but one of their favorite trips was to Australia and New Zealand. She loved spending time with her family celebrating milestones and regularly hosted Sunday dinners and yearly Christmas parties at her home. She loved attending countless events with Bill, 50’s music especially Elvis, all animals, reading, gardening, cooking, playing poker and Christmas. And surely, no one loved chocolate more than Linda.

The family acknowledges and greatly appreciates the loving care provided by Linda’s granddaughter Erika Bower, along with her husband Philip Bower and children, for the past two years, as well as the caregivers at Aspen Healthcare Services and Hospice of Lewisville, TX.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband William V. Blake III, her brother James C. Sellers, Jr, brother-in-law James Mancini and her parents.

Linda is survived by her son David Kistner, Seattle, Washington, her daughters Deanna Murphy, Richardson, and Diana Cilia, McKinney, stepsons Derek Blake of Dallas and Rod Blake of Phoenix, Arizona, her sister Judy Mancini of Yucaipa, California, sister-in-law Marilyn Sellers of Lake Arrowhead, California, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family will have a memorial service followed by a reception on January 28, 2023 at 2pm at her longtime church Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75225. Inurnment in the Courtyard Columbarium will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org or to Equest at www.equest.org.

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

214-306-6700