Loretta Gail (Blake) Claunts

Loretta Gail (Blake) Claunts was born April 16, 1961 in St. Louis, Missouri to Doyle Francis Blake (deceased) and Wanda Lucille (Bethel) Blake. After a hard-fought battle with illness, Gail entered into the arms of her Lord and Savior on July 31, 2022. Gail’s life was marked by dedication to family, especially her son Matthew. Gail’s creativity as a mother was particularly admirable. She loved her son Matthew sacrificially, and came up with fun and meaningful ways to turn challenging or mundane activities into adventures. Together they traveled on exciting road trips, kept a restaurant review blog, saw dog shows, had “mystery days,” visited the gun range, explored haunted houses, and much more. For 26 years, Gail enjoyed her career as a Registered Nurse – a work of service she loved and at which she excelled. Gail was known for making and keeping exceptionally strong life-long friendships, and was greatly appreciated for her wry and witty humor. In college, she earned a bachelor’s in liberal studies and two associates in nursing and physical training. She enjoyed helping others achieve fitness and nutrition goals, and assisted in running a boxing gym for children. Gail enjoyed hiking, weightlifting, and travel. Her sense of adventure led her to work for several years as a traveling nurse (later working at Norman Regional Hospital) and also to hike Pike’s Peak in 2019. She was a gifted writer, collaborating on several plays, and her social media was avidly followed by family and friends. Gail enjoyed reading, especially philosophy and theology, and developed a deep and abiding love for God and His Word. Her faith provided a foundation of strength and comfort, particularly during her two-year struggle with cancer.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, Doyle, and brother, Jerry Blake. She is survived by her son, Matthew Claunts of Moore, OK; mother, Wanda Blake of Norman, OK; brother, Howard Blake and wife Christine of Belleville, IL; sisters, Mary Blake of Wilmington, NC, and Jenna McIntyre and husband Roy of Rome, Italy; sister-in-law, Marilyn Blake of Norman, OK; many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

The Celebration of Life ceremony will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 5, 2022 at Northeast Baptist Church, 905 E. Rock Creek Rd, Norman, OK. There will also be a short graveside service at 9:00 AM, Friday, August 5, at Warren Cemetery, Brookhaven Residential Community, 4100 Block of Northridge Rd., Norman, OK.