Joel Anthony Black

Joel Black was known as a family man, seeker of adventure, lover of fun, and the commander of any room he was in. He never met a stranger or let anyone feel out of place. Joel could brighten anyone’s day with his undeniable sense of humor and contagious smile.

He was born on Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana  on November 25, 1976 (Thanksgiving Day, Bicentennial Year) to Sandy and Tracy Black. After a few years, Robert Allen the man that he would later refer to as “Pops” entered his life without hesitation and stepped up to love and raise him as his own son when he married his mother, Sandy.

At the age of 12, Joel waited 21 hours with his Nanny to welcome his baby brother, Nicholas. This brought him so much joy, he called the newspaper to place the birth announcement himself. From that moment on, he had a new best friend.

Throughout his childhood, Joel passionately played baseball and football. He later graduated from Palmer High School where he proudly represented the Bulldogs in multiple aspects such as football and band, sometimes those events would even overlap… there was once a time when Joel played both offense and defense during the same game and ran to change into his band uniform at halftime to play drums and march in the halftime show. He was also on the varsity baseball team his senior year where he helped lead the team to the Texas state championship tournament in ‘94. Although he was unable to compete due to his prior commitment to his first career, enlisting in the United States Army, the team still dedicated the game to Joel. In the Army, he proudly served his country as an Airborne Infantryman. After discharging from the Military he had many careers, lived in multiple states, and even had business endeavors of his own but was better described as a "jack of all trades" ranging from being a journeyman plumber to attaining his CDL and eventually owning and operating his trucking company, JB American. If you couldn’t tell from his prior service and trucking company name, he loved his country and was a true patriot.

Throughout his life, he had many loves such as family events, riding his Harley with his brother Nicholas, being on the water in his boat, attending concerts of all genres, cheering on his favorite sports teams the New Orleans Saints, Texas Longhorns, and Boston Red Sox, as well as anything that got his adrenaline pumping or drew a laugh. Nothing compared to the thing he loved and valued the most overall, his children: Dillon, Sarah, Haley, Devin, Samantha, Jordan, Jamie, and Bryan. He was also a proud “grandpa”.

Sadly, and unexpectedly, Joel Anthony Black left us on May 9, 2024; but his contagious sense of humor, ability to spread joy by simply being himself, his quirky sayings, movie quotes, and nicknames for almost everything and anyone will always be remembered in the hearts of the many people who have had the pleasure of encountering him. During the last few years of his life, his love for the Lord was shared with his partner and fiancée, Susan. They spent time together strengthening their faith and encouraging each other by relying on verses in the Bible such as 23rd Psalm to get them through tough times.

He is preceded in death by his “Nanny”, Shirley Abbott-Milam, his “Papaw”, Thomas Kersey Milam, his “Mamaw”, Marguerite Bell Boutwell, and his grandparents, Donald and Granny MacDonald.

He is survived in death by his parents, Sandra and Robert Allen of Ennis, TX; father, Tracy Black of Macon, IL; fiancée, Susan Defatta of Shreveport, LA; brother, Nicholas Allen; niece, Rylee Allen of Ennis, TX; step-sister, Tracy Eaton (Ches) and nephew, Alex Eaton of Atlanta, GA; uncles, Terry Milam (Jackie) of Haughton, LA and Randy MacDonald Milam of Ontario, Canada; children: Dillon Black (Sarah) of Shreveport, LA; Sarah Black (John) of Fort Worth, TX; beloved stepsons: Jordan Vineyard (Mercedes) of Ennis, TX; Jamie Vineyard of Ennis TX; and Bryan Vineyard of Ennis, TX; and his youngest children, Haley Gonzales of Midlothian, TX; Devin Stepp of Ennis, TX; and Samantha Gutierrez of New Mexico; first wife, Janie Vineyard Black of Ennis, TX; and all of his grandchildren: Dean, Jace, Jaxon, Easton, Tyson, Bentley, Tristan, Layla, and Isaiah; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation for Joel will be held Monday, May 13, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:00 am at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Park.