Minnie Jo Black

Minnie Jo Black (“Jo”), 82, of Orlando, Florida, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 19, 2015. She was born June 22, 1932 in Talladega, Alabama.

Minnie Jo is predeceased by her parents, Alonzo H. James and Dallas Lorine (Pike), her sisters Dixie Lanier and Mary James of Wetumpka, AL, and her late husband of 60 years, Ervin St. Elmo Black.

She is survived by her, daughter Mary Lorraine (Lorri) Thomas and husband, Joshua M. Thomas, son Doyle Ervin Black and wife Daphanie Black, 4 grandchildren; Sara and husband Sean MacDonald, Dalton and Dalles Black, Faith Thomas, 1 new great grand-daughter, Penelope MacDonald, her sister Edna Goree, and her loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

Minnie “Jo” was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, and friend to all.

“Jo” was truly the “super” woman behind the man, supporting her husband through his work and projects that led him to build all over the country, especially those here all around the Orlando area. She loved her husband so much that she would take off her husband’s shoes every day after work and have a meal prepared that was fit for a king!

She was known for her kindness and generosity and never met a stranger. She would often make extra lunches for her husband to take to others at work, even getting up at 4 am to cook her famous “fried spareribs” to pack in his lunch for his coworkers. You could stop at any time and she would try to make you a meal. On the weekend mornings she used to have left over homemade biscuits and sausage or ham for any neighbor that would stop by. She would cook all the “fix-ins” for the steak dinner’s that friends and neighbors would come on Saturday evenings for. She always loved and sacrificed so very much. In earlier years, when monies were tight, she would wrap up her old clothing and place under the tree to use as her own Christmas gifts to herself, in order to use that extra money on her children/family.

She enjoyed watching her favorite Alabama football team (ROLL TIDE), and NASCAR racing on the weekends with her husband. She also loved working in her yard and garden with her husband, and was often “shelling peas” and preparing fresh “collard greens”. Neighbors and friends often stopped to visit as you could find her sitting outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

She truly loved everyone. A special thank you to her prior care taker, Vadette Lalanne, for her loving care and support for “Jo” and her family.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at 301 NE Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32804 on Friday, May 1, 2015. Funeral services for Minnie “Jo” will also be at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home on Saturday May 2, 2015 at 10:00 am. Minnie “Jo” will then be laid to rest at the Glen Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, FL shortly after the service. Do you have a special memory or story about Jo or a message for the family? Please provide them and/or your online condolences on Minnie Jo Black’s memorial tribute at www.yourtribute.com.