Herbert Donald Black

Herbert Donald Black, 83 passed away Friday, December 10, 2010 at The Arbor in Ridgeland. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 am Friday, December 17, 2010 at the chapel of Wright and Ferguson Parkway Memorial Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Visitation will be today from 4-7 pm and tomorrow at 9:30 am. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park.

Mr. Black is a native of New Orleans, LA. and Tchula, MS. After graduation, he proudly served his country in WWII in the European Theatre. After the war, he attended Mississippi State University. In 1948, he began his 38 year career with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. During this period he witnessed the change from steam to diesel locomotives.

He and his wife were members of Oak Forest Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church Brandon. He was a baseball coach from Little League through Babe Ruth League. He was a Master Mason at the Leavell Wood Lodge. He was a proud supporter of Forest Hill Athletics, where he enjoyed watching his kids play basketball. Also, he was an avid Mississippi State Bulldog! After retirement he moved to Brandon where he enjoyed being involved in a community coffee club and the railroad retirees coffee club. He also had a passion for researching his family genealogy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Jewell Black, and his brother James R. Black.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Connie Taylor Black; sons Donny (Sue) Black of Midwest City, OK. and Ron (Jan) Black of Meridian, MS; daughters Donna (Bob) Scarpetta of Oldsmar, FL.and Diane (Cecil) Covington of Jackson, MS. ; a brother Farrell S. Black of Gulfport, MS.; grandchildren Andy (Jennifer) Black, Shelley (Chris) Hartley, Sara (Jason) Fisher, Brandon Black, Bradley Black, and Patrick Covington; and great-grandchildren Nick Hartley, Aurora Hartley, Adam Fisher, Jack Fisher, and Jonathan Black.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family rejoices that he is now in the loving arms of his Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at The Arbor, Hospice Ministries and Riggs Manor for their special care and love; as well as his doctors .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation. or Mississippi Animal Rescue League.