Ethel Black

Ethel Black, 84, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at her residence after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Lowndes County to the late D.H & Stella Martin White, her family moved back to their residence in Blytheville, AR where Mrs. Black grew up. Later she attended and graduated from Harding University in Searcy, AR, majoring in business, where she met the love of her life, Leon Black, who she eventually married and returned with to Valdosta. Upon her return to this area, she taught school for several years in Lake Park and in Statenville public schools. For 39 years, Mrs. Black answered the phone and managed the office for Black Brothers Electrical Company, with her husband and his brother Richard. She was an active Shaklee Distributor for over 20 years, her own business that she was very proud of. She was a great supporter of Georgia Christian School and was a past president of the Women's Organization for Serving Youth (WOFSY). Mrs. Black loved to cook and was known for her hospitality. She was "the perfect" wife and a wonderful mother who raised six children "without raising her voice". Mrs. Black was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of Christ.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Leon Black; three sons and four daughters in law, Michael & Patsy Black of Dasher, Tony & Pat Black of Boston, MA, Bryan & Susan Black of Overton, TX and Sara Black of Montgomery, AL; two daughters and sons in law, Donna & Gerry Baker of Valdosta, and Tabitha & Allen Giddens of Sylvester; two sisters, Snow White & Max Griggs; three brothers and sisters in law, Herman & Jolly White, Roy & Ethelene White, and Henry & Marilyn White. Also surviving are three sisters in law, Sarah White, Martha White Houston, and Madge Black Miller; a brother in law, Ellis Touchton, brothers in law and sisters in law, Bob & Jeanette Scott, Russell & Floyce Black and Gayle & Grace Napier; 20 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a son, Steve Black, two sisters, Mildred Dever, Ester White; brothers and sisters in law, Warner & Julia White, Herbert White, David White and Elmer White; brothers in law and sisters in law, Richard & Wynell Black, Catherine Black Touchton, Mabrey Miller and Mary Louise Black.
Funeral services for Mrs. Black will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Mr. Ian Burgin will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Georgia Christian School, at www.georgiachristian.org, 4359 Dasher Road, Valdosta, GA 31601. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602