Mary Magaline Black

Born to Jennie B. Dave Mumford & Curtis Mumford, Mary was raised in Cedartown, Georgia with her sister Viola Whatley(deceased).

Mary was married to James Roosevelt Black in 1954 until his passing in 2006, they had been married for 55 years. They resided in Louisville shortly after marrying and raised their family here. Upon earning her associate degree in data processing, Mary worked at a Knoxville bank until she retired.

Mary was a force to be reckoned with as she would always let one know what she thought about them through her words, or the expression on her face. Many will tell you that her bad side was not the side of Mary you wanted to be on. In addition to her fierce personality, Mary was intensely loving and loyal; especially to those who had the honor of calling her Mom and Nanny(by grandchildren and great grandchildren). Mary’s greatest priority and most precious accomplishment were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the true matriarch of our family which includes her 8 children Diane(deceased) James (Carol), Marvin, Martin, David (deceased), Dwain, Terry (Yolanda) and Germaine (James) Fitzgerald. Mary is survived by her grandchildren Monique (Drew) Walker, Sierra Bryant, Haley Black, Robin Black, and Nneka(Matt)Steele. Mary has 4 great-grandsons - Sean, JR, & Mason Steele, and Hunter Bryant. She is also survived by 2 great grand-daughters, Asia Bryant (active in barrel racing) and Ryan Carolena Walker, who she lovingly referred to as “my little lady”.

The only thing that was as important to Mary as her family was her faith. She had an unwavering faith in God, loved to read her Bible and was a dutiful servant during her 89 years.

Mary was an excellent cook as one tends to be with 8 children and was always happy to critique those who attempted to replicate her recipes. In addition, she loved to garden and particularly loved beautiful flowers, especially when they arrived on her birthday, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

Though she may be gone from this physical Earth, her love, spirit and strength remain all around her family. As she always told her granddaughter Monique at the end of phone calls when they were separated by hundreds of miles “ don’t say goodbye, say I’ll see you later.”

From the family to Mary:

Mom (Nanny)- You worked hard and did a good job now rest easy. We will miss you everyday until we “see you later”.

“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. 1Corinthians 13:13

The family welcomes close friends to a Viewing from 10:30am-11am with a Funeral following to start at 11am.