URBANNA—Emily Blake Chowning, 91, owner of Nimcock Gallery, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at her home in Urbanna.
She was born December 10, 1929, in the family home in Topping and was the daughter of the late Minnie and Raymond Blake.
She and her late husband, Shep, founded Nimcock Gallery in 1966. After his death in 2009, she ran the business until the day she died. Her art work and framed art from the gallery can be found on walls of homes throughout the region.
She and her husband were grand marshals of the 50th annual Urbanna Oyster Festival and she was the grand marshal of the 2015 Urbanna Hometown Christmas Parade.
She is survived by her son, Larry Chowning (Dee) of Urbanna; her daughter, Susan Hoar (Wayne) of Williamsburg; and grandchildren, Tyler Hoar (Laura), Damon Chowning (Sarah), Cara Tyler (Joe), Peyton Blodgett (Jacob) and Hannah Straub (Nathan); and great-grandchildren, Michaela Chowning, Kasey Hoar, Harper Blodgett, Connor Chowning, John Henry and Will Tyler, and Charlie and Henry Straub.
She was preceded in death by her beloved great-grandson, Caleb Chowning.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Middlesex County Volunteer Fire Department, 335 Virginia Street, Urbanna, VA 23175; or Middlesex County Rescue Squad, 17684 General Puller Hwy. Deltaville, VA 23043.
A celebration of her life is planned in late June.
