Deborah Jane Black (nee Cromling-Pfaff)- Age 69. Debby was born on September 12, 1951, to parents, Doris and Benjamin Pfaff, who preceded her in death. She passed away early Saturday, August 21, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Black was a native of Elyria, OH and a longtime resident of Mobile, AL. On December 8, 1978, she married a man with whom she would build a family and a life that was filled with great music, delicious food, amazing family, dear friends, tons of laughter and a love that most would envy, James W. Black, Jr. He preceded her in death February 12, 2005. She retired after a lengthy career as an educator/counselor, working in Mobile County’s private and public school system. Also preceding her in death were her sister, Suzan H. Pfaff; brothers, Dan Pfaff, Raymond (Jeanette) Pfaff, Rick (Paulette) Cromling; mother and father-in-law, MaryAnn Black and James W. Black, Sr.; niece, Heather O’Bryhim; nephew, John Russell Wood, III; brothers-in-law, Robert “Bob” Evans, John W. Collins, Frank Robinette, and Don Carley; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Cahoon, MaryAnn Gearhart, Kathleen Daigle.
Surviving Mrs. Black are her beloved daughters, Natalie Black (Terry Harrison) and Stephanie Black, sisters, Kathleen O’Bryhim, Melissa Robinette, brother, Mark (Julie) Pfaff, brothers-in-law, Tom (Norma) Black, William Black, James Daigle and Michael Pollman, Sr.; sisters in law, Clara Carley, Therese Pollman, Martha Bouler; nieces and nephews, John Collins, Ben Robinette, DJ (Lindsay) O’Bryhim, Travis (Frances) and Vance (Lauren) McCoy, Helen (Corey) DeLucia, Layla and Michael Pollman, Mary Theresa Walcott and Ann Marie Daigle, Hunter and Dylan Black, James David Black, John Patrick and Melanie Litton, Mary Jane McGugin and Russell Carley, Alesha Gulledge, Angela Hessert (Travis) Ashlee and Alison Cahoon; numerous great nieces and nephews, along with a multitude of dear friends.
If you have ever been branded with a big red smooch made by Debby’s red painted lips, her signature token of love and affection, I hope you realize how lucky you are. Being near water calmed her soul, the beach was her absolute favorite place to be. She thoroughly reveled in Mardi Gras and College Football season, University of Alabama, of course. (Roll Tide) She had such a love for crawfish, she probably could have eaten her weight in them without a problem. She enjoyed them so much that she and Jimmy made sure their daughters were taught as toddlers how to peel their own so they wouldn’t have to stop eating to peel for the girls, seriously!
Christmas every year with her friends and family was anticipated greatly and she sincerely rejoiced in the season year after year. Thanksgiving, pumpkin pies, “coldies magoldies” weather and the chosen Black Family Traditional Christmas movies and music were savored; she truly enjoyed making those memories. All that know Debby surely take comfort knowing that Jimmy and his “bride” have been reunited at last. She was truly a one-of-a-kind, a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, loved a dive bar with a great jukebox, and if she loved you, she made sure you knew it and you felt it. Saying that she will be greatly missed is a gross understatement, but we must look past our wants and our needs here on earth and rejoice in the fact that she is happy and at peace for all eternity.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 27 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL. On Saturday, August 28, visitation will take place from 1:00pm until the 2:00pm chapel service at Radney, Dauphin. Interment will follow immediately at 3:00pm, in Pine Crest West Cemetery, 1599 Snow Rd., Mobile, when she will be laid to rest next to her late husband, James Black, Jr.
