Reverend Mary Alice Flake, 92, of Louisville Kentucky, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 10, 2018. Mary Alice Flake was born on July 23, 1926 in Tuscaloosa Alabama to the late Johnnie and Emma Young. Reverend Flake learned as a young child, on country farm gardens, to plant seeds that produced beautiful flowers and food that was grown for her family’s consumption. As a child she also loved to quilt. After graduating high school, Reverend Flake continued her education in nursing at James Adams School of Practical Nursing, earning her license to practice nursing in the state of Ohio, and continued her career working at the Cleveland Clinic and as a private duty nurse. Many of her patients, from over forty-years ago, still love her and remain her friend. At an early age, after her father’s passing, her mother was remarried to the late W. C. Hughes. The family moved to the Delta. Reverend Flake later moved to St. Louis MO, where she was introduced to the teaching of the Church of God. Under the leadership of her pastor, Reverend Horace Sheppard Sr., she sang in the choir, served as missionary president and as corresponding secretary for finance. In her hometown of Kinloch, MO., Reverend Flake organized a children’s bible class and later joined the “Hogan’s on the Hills” Mission where she served for a full year in Springfield, MO.

In 1961, Reverend Flake moved to Cleveland OH, at the invitation of the late Reverend Ozzie Wallerton. In Cleveland, she met and was united in marriage to Deacon John Flake. Reverend Flake and her husband worshiped at Euclid Ave Church of God, where she taught Sunday School classes. Later she and her husband decided to worship at the East End Church of God, now known as the Union Avenue Church of God, under the Pastorship of Reverend Bernard Clayter, where she served in many capacities. She and her husband later returned to worship at the Fifth Church of God, under the Pastorship of Reverend Edward Pearl, until her husband’s passing on December 5, 2005.

Reverend Flake initially resisted the call to ministry, but prayed to the Lord saying, “I don’t know how to preach!” She heard and headed to the Lord’s response to her, “OPEN YOUR MOUTH, I WILL FILL IT”. Psalms 81:10 confirmed her call to ministry and she was ordained by the state of Ohio, city of Columbus.

Reverend Flake has preached to most of the churches of God in Cleveland Ohio, performed funeral eulogies and wedding ceremonies. Reverend Flake ministered at services in Jamestown New York, Buffalo New York. She was keynote speaker for a Niagara Falls Women’s Conference and at the Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Mi.

In December 2005, the Holy Spirit instructed Reverend Flake that it was time to move to Louisville, KY to be near her family. Reverend Flake has said that her life has been so richly blessed while living in Louisville and she has been blessed with attending the Louisville First Church of God, where the entire congregation received her unconditionally.

While attending Louisville First Church of God, Reverend Flake served as the adult Sunday School teacher, she organized a Women’s prayer ministry, she served with her Pastor in the nursing home ministry, and often preached the message at Wednesday night services. Through her immense love of God, Reverend Flake has been a fervent prayer worrier and a true blessing to so many.

Reverend Flake is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Emma Young, step father, W. C. Hughes, children, James Flake, Herbert Flake, Hubert Flake, brothers and sisters-in-law, Johnnie Will and Pearl Young, Penny and Ada Silver, and Earl “RL” and Sister Silver, and her grandson Morris Jordan.

Reverend Flake is survived by her daughter Mae Helen Patrick, daughter in-law Delores Flake, eight grandchildren, Wanda Patrick, Michael Patrick (Susan), Stephanie Thompkins, Sonya Thompkins, Ranora Jordan, Shirlaine Flake, Dovell Flake, twenty great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and so many friends whom all will forever cherish her memories.

The family of Reverend Flake wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Andrea Davis (JenCare), Linda Rigdon, Nurse (Baptist Hospital), Terri Hall, Brenda Jackson (AL), Norma Clark (OH), Ray and Evelyn Rhodes, Gwen Jones, Margie Harlow, Jean Plummer, Debbie Dunn, David Wilson, Pastor Tony Wilson, the Louisville First Church of God congregation and everyone who kept us in your thoughts and prayers.