It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Celia Barrett Blake on October 3, 2024 at the age of 72 after a brief battle with Lymphocytic Leukemia.

She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.  She truly cared about others and made every effort to stay in contact with people.  She was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Celia was born on March 15, 1952 to Roger and Claire Barrett in McComb, MS.  After she graduated from McComb High School in 1970, she graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College transferring to Auburn University, College of Architecture, completing her degree in Interior Design.

She continued her studies at Parson's School of Design in New York in both set design and antiques.  She also studied theatre at New York's renowned Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.  Celia Barrett was the artistic director and producer for The Acting Group, a professional theater company in New York City, for six years.

She began her Interior Design business in 1989 in New York City, after many years as a designer for major New York City firms.  Celia, ASID, IIDA, NEWH was the founder, CEO and principle designer at Barrett Design Studio, in Jackson, MS with a satellite office in New York City. Celia, with her team, won 33 national and regional design awards in hospitality, retail and residential design.

To Celia, her loving family was extremely important.  She moved back to Mississippi in 1997 with her beloved husband Joe Blake in order to be close to them. Celia was also an animal lover, and served on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Animal Rescue League for the past 15 years.

Celia was predeceased by her parents, Roger and Claire Barrett and her husband, Joe Blake.

She is survived by her brothers, Tom Barrett (Janet), Dr. Patrick Barrett (Gelinda), Dr. Gene Barrett (Linda), and Mike Barrett (Dianne). She also leaves behind loving nieces and nephews and cousins.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, October 10 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral in Jackson, MS, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. The Internment will be at Hollywood Cemetery, McComb, MS at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League or an animal rescue shelter of your choice.