Lois Blake Tankersley, 95, of St. Petersburg, Florida, died on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Born in Gloucester, she was the oldest of six children of Enos Blake and Naomi Hudson Blake.

Upon graduating from the College of William and Mary, she began working as a high school English teacher. She later earned a degree in library science, as well as her Risk Management Certification. While her initial career was in education, she ultimately moved into hospital administration. Starting as a transcriptionist at the Medical College of Virginia, she became the Director of Risk Management at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

She had long-term memberships at Arlington United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and Lakewood United Methodist Church in Tomball, Texas.

Survivors include children, Wayne Tankersley, Eloise Hill, Beth Register, and Claude Tankersley; brothers, Jimmie and Bernard Blake; six grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by parents; husband of 45 years, Roland Tankersley; brothers, Enos and Russell Blake, and sister, Patricia Eastwood.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at Petsworth Baptist Church in Gloucester.

Memorial donations may be made to the World Literacy Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.