Darla Kai Blake

Darla Kai Blake, a resident of Las Vegas, NV, passed peacefully in her sister's home on April 9, 2015 in St. George, UT.

Born on January 2, 1938, and raised in St. George, Darla Kai is the eldest child of Gerald and Vera Blake. Her siblings are Kenneth Blake, Geraldine Thode, Miriam Fullerton, and Cindy Van Pelt. She joins her mother and father, her little sis Cindy, her ex husband George and her beloved pets on the other side.

As a teenager, Darla Kai won many pageants and contests. She was awarded 'Miss Bubble Charm', named the 'Make it Yourself with Wool' state winner, and was the two time recipient of 'Miss National Guard'. At the age of 20, she was the attendant for Utah's 'Miss Universe' title. She was a local lifeguard and worked at Dick's Cafe alongside her mother Vera and sister Geri. While attending Dixie College she discovered her love of the theater and performed in numerous plays and musicals including South Pacific, the comedic role of Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, and Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman under the tutelage of Dr. Marion Bentley.

She was an avid traveler and went on to work for Bonanza Airlines out of Las Vegas, which is where she met and married the architect George Enomoto. They have one daughter from the union, Kiku Enomoto.

Darla loved to get gussied up and go to every performance that came through Las Vegas. Whether it be her favorites, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Miriam Makeba or the latest Broadway show, she was there.

Darla Kai won the Las Vegas Review Journal's annual cooking contest with her famous beer bread recipe. She held many positions with the Nevada Garden Clubs including the national chrysanthemum judge, as well as winning many awards with her flower arrangements and prized chrysanthemums. Ms Blake recently became certified as a Master Gardener under the Cooperative Extension with the University of Nevada, Reno.

In her late 40s, Darla decided to continue her education by finishing her college degree and going on to get her masters at UNLV. After graduating, she became a teacher with the Clark County School District. She taught ESL and mathematics as well as all grade levels but decided second grade was where she belonged. Ms Blake was a phenomenal teacher who always worked above and beyond to give her children the best education they could possibly receive.

Upon retiring, Darla continued her travels all over the world to learn about other cultures and study their art. She especially loved traveling to New York City to visit her daughter so she could school her on famous artists, soon to be famous artists and the art world in general. At home, her passions were working in her garden, catching up on the latest TV series, taking care of her cats, and Thai food and movies with her favorite gal pals. (Her choice!!)

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015  at 11am  at the LDS Chapel on 2079 E. 2450 S., St. George, Utah.  A viewing will be held from 10:00-10:45am prior to services.  Interment St. George City Cemetery.