| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 25 Aug 2005.
Blake Maples
September 21, 1993 - August 25, 2005
Birthplace: Knoxville, TN
Resided In: Sevierville Tennessee
Visitation: August 27, 2005
Service: August 28, 2005
Cemetery: Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens
Douglass “Blake” Maples, Blake started his life at Children’s Hospital on September 21, 1993, and he passed away at Children’s Hospital on Thursday, August 25, 2005 in the arms of his mother. Blake spent his almost twelve years teaching the rest of the world about courage, humor, compassion, love and humility. He attended Sevierville Intermediate School and the Boys & Girls Club in Sevierville. He brought light to everyone he met with a big “Hey”, an infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye. There were no strangers to Blake: he touched the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to meet him. He was the subject of a host of prayers and surely is the most popular angel in heaven.
Blake is survived by his devoted mother, Laura Maples of Sevierville and his father Douglass Maples, also of Sevierville. Grandparents are Ronald and Libby Storie Sharp; Geneva and Blennie Helton and Gene Maples, all of Sevierville. He especially loved and was loved by his Aunt, Cyndi (“Indy”) Long of Sevierville. Other survivors are aunts and uncles, Julie and Kevin Hurst, and children, Sam, and Ella of Sevierville: Stacy and Laura Maples and family of Sevierville and Bryan Helton. Blake is also survived by a number of cousins and extended family members.
Blake is no longer limited by his body and his spirit knows no bounds. He has left a world of memories for those who knew and loved him.
--And a Child Shall Lead Them—
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, where Blake received wonderful care,P.O. Box 15010, Knoxville, TN 37901-5010 or to the Make a Wish Foundation, c/o Kendall W. Shull, P.O. Box 24348, Knoxville, TN 37933-2348.
Funeral service 4PM Sunday at Atchley’s Seymour Chapel with Chaplain Sandy Foster officiating. Interment will follow in Seymour Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 6-8PM Saturday and from 2-4PM Sunday at Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour. 577-2807 (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 28 Aug 2005.
Youth remembered for his heart
Mother: Blake Maples was inspiration to many
By: CANDICE GRIMM, Staff Writer August 28, 2005
File Photo by Curt Habraken
Laura Maples, left, hugs her son Blake during an October 2004 party at which the Make-A-Wish Foundation presented him with a swing designed to hold his wheelchair.
SEVIERVILLE - Living was a struggle for 11-year-old Douglass "Blake" Maples, but to his mother, his grandparents and even strangers, he was an inspiration right up until his death on Thursday.
Blake was born two months premature on Sept. 12, 1993, and suffered from a brain hemorrhage that caused a portion of his brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. Although he was affected by cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, he touched many lives.
One of them was an anonymous man who built a special swing to accommodate Blake's wheelchair.
The swing was presented at an Oct. 23, 2004, party thrown by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. During the party, the Mountain Mold & Die employee who designed and built the swing said, "When anyone can look at Blake and can't decide it's a worthy cause, there's something wrong with them - this is definitely a worthy cause."
According to his mom, Laura Maples, "Blake was well-known at East Tennessee Children's Hospital for the motions he used to tell his doctor and others to kiss his butt."
Blake's grandfather, Ron Sharp, said, "The swing was a delight for him and the gift meant a lot to him and the family even though he didn't get to use it much."
In regard to Blake's sense of humor, Sharp said, "Despite his physical limitations, he was a happy boy. He was loved and he gave back just as good as he got considering what he went through with surgeries and all the hospital stays."
Blake had undergone six different surgeries this year and more than 20 during his lifetime.
"When he was born, people told us he would never know people or be able to do anything, but he did a lot," Sharp said. "He taught us all a lot of lessons; that's the way I prefer to look at it. We learned a lot from him."
Maples said her son taught her to keep things simple.
"I learned you don't have to do it all; just prioritize and the Lord takes care of the rest. Blake was my priority," she said. "The wonder of Blake was that he didn't know he was any different than anybody else."
Maples had signed papers to donate Blake's tissues and organs when he died.
"I know for certain that somebody in this world is getting a wonderful heart," said Maples, adding she doesn't know what other organs might have been used.
After he was removed from a ventilator, Maples said she held Blake and talked to him, rocking him until he died.
Funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Atchley's Seymour Chapel with Chaplain Sandy Foster officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today and from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday at Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour.
Maples said even though it was hard to sign the consent forms to donate Blake's organs, "I hope that heart took a little bit of Blake's sparkle with it. I don't see Blake as living on in somebody else, I just see Blake doing something else - it's one more thing that he did.
"I got to spend his last few minutes with him in my arms. I know he went straight from my arms to the Lord; I can't ask for more than that," said Maples, adding that she "had peace" about her decision to donate his organs, and said, "I still do."
* cgrimm@themountainpress.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
MAPLES, DOUGLASS EUGENE LONG, LAURA RENEE 1989-10-21
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