Dr. L. Gene Black

Dr. L. Gene Black, age 80, of Homewood, Alabama went to be with his Lord and Savior at his home on Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Decatur, Alabama on July 10, 1934 and was a 1953 graduate of Decatur High School.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Samford University, the Master of Arts in Music Education, the Advanced Master’s in Secondary Education, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education and Music degrees from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Black was Professor of Music and Music Education, and the Dean of the School of Music at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama over a span of 35 years. He was also the conductor of the Samford University A Cappella Choir. Dr. Black held membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, The Alabama and National Education Associations, Alabama Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, and the Music Educators National Conference. He was inducted in the inaugural class of the Alabama Music Educators Hall of Fame and has served numerous churches in the Birmingham area as interim or full-time Minister of Music.

Dr. Black is known and respected throughout the country as well as abroad as a choral clinician, music educator, and as conductor of the renowned and internationally acclaimed Samford University A Cappella Choir. The choir was his passion and ministry, touching countless lives around the world. His legacy lives on in his ministry tours with the choir from 1970-2011 throughout Japan, China, South Korea, Hawaii, Sweden, Norway, England, Wales, France, Belgium, and Germany, as well as throughout the continental United States.

Dr. Black is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Hamilton Black, their daughter Gina Clay (Mitchel), and their grandchildren Ethan Blake Standard, Emma Kathryn Standard, and Elijah Hamilton Standard. He is also survived by his brother Joe Black of Decatur, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Black was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Mattie Lois Black, sisters Mary Houston and Gerstle Rogers, and brothers Otha Black, Greer Black, and Morris Black.

The Memorial Celebration of Dr. Black's Life will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Alabama. A reception will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “L. Gene Black Family Memorial Fund” at any Regions Bank location.