Raymond Black

John Raymond Black, 100, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at Lexington Memorial Hospital. The funeral will be at 10 am Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Pilgrim Reformed Church, where he was a member by Revs. Barry Surratt and George Fiddler. He was born August 31, 1907, in Welcome, to Jim and Addie Holder Black. On July 20, 1931, he married Irene Essick Black. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Howard Black, Vada White, Maggie Stallings, Hazel Wagner, Jack Black and Betts Black; and a granddaughter, Donna Black. He is survived by his wife of 76 years; sons, Reid Black and wife, Peggy, Gene Black and wife, Wanda; his grandchildren, Kathy Lewis, Teresa Sink and husband, Keith, Randy Black and wife, Lucinda, Ray Black, Linda Leonard and husband, Brad and Michael Black; his great-grandchildren, Jonathan Ray and wife, Beth, Stephanie Mabe and husband, Mickey, Jordan Leonard, Ashley Winebarger, Cameron Black, Lauren Black, Samantha Black, Sammi Jo Black, Jayson Black, Peter Black, Brandon Leonard, Charles Black, and Sylvia Black; and his great-great-grandchildren, Avery Ray and Braden Cannady. Grandpa led a full life, attributing his long life to never smoking and drinking, along with hard work. At 8 years old he drove a wagon with two mules to Lunenberg, VA. A standout basketball player at Welcome High School, he played in the 1929 state tournament on NC State’s Campus (Welcome won). During World War II at the age of 36 he was drafted into the Army. Due to a foot injury he did not see overseas action; he guarded German prisoners at Camp Shelby, MS. After the war he worked for the State, running a motor grader. At age 66 he retired and worked fulltime at his son’s sawmill until the age of 86. He was a life-long farmer, cultivating his silver-queen corn on Saturday. At his church he was a member of the Men’s Bible Class and Brotherhood and had served on the Consistory. He was a Charter member of Triangle Fire Department and fought fires as long as he was able. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Davidson Funeral Home, and other times at the homes of his sons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pilgrim Reformed Church, Building Fund, 797 Pilgrim Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295.