Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 8 at Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield for Glendale Black, 86, of Fairfield who died Monday, Oct. 5 in Tyler.
Glendale was born December 1, 1933 in the Dew/Lanely area in the southern part of Freestone county to Hiram Glass Black and Eunice McCeig Black. He and his family moved just outside Fairfield on Lovers Lane on January 1, 1945.
He attended high school in Fairfield and was active in athletics, lettering all four years in football and basketball, earning “All District” designation for three years, and also participating in track and field events. While still in high school, he along with their teacher coached 7th grade girls baseball. He was also active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and graduated with the FHS Class of 1953.
Glendale served four years in the US Navy, where he was stationed in California and spent three years aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan. He was discharged from the service in July of 1957.
He married the former Shelba Jean Key on Nov 3, 1957 at Antioch Baptist Church in the Turlington Community. The couple met in second grade but did not begin dating until after they both graduated high school in 1953, when Glendale was in the service and Shelba worked at the Fairfield Abstract Company. Randall Reddin officiated at their wedding, and their attendants were their best friends, Oma Mullen Smith and R.O. McFarland.
Glendale was saved on a Sunday morning, July 31, 1966 during a revival at Calvary Baptist Church. Jack McDaniel was pastor and Henry Horton was evangelist, and he was baptized the following Sunday morning.
He enjoyed a career as a custom farmer for many years beginning in 1958, first with his father, Hiram Black, and later with his sons, Bud and Steve. His cattle ranching operations also included his father and his sons, as well as his grandsons Benjamin and Cory, and Bro. Donald Pruitt.
He was very active in service at Calvary Baptist Church, and was ordained as a deacon December 3, 1972, which he described as “an awesome privilege and responsibility.” Through the years, he served as Sunday School Superintendent of the Adult Dept., and later as General Superintendent for many years; was active in Brotherhood, serving as President; was assistant church treasurer and later church treasurer for many years; taught College & Career Sunday School Class for several years in the 1970s and 80s; was past president of the Deacon Board; served on pulpit committees; was a church usher and greeter; and served on several building committees, including the planning and construction of the present Calvary Baptist Church facility from 1986-1988.
Glendale and Shelba also served on the Youth Committee for many years and were involved with the Bus Ministry from its beginning in 1969. He drove the bus until 2006.
He also served eight years on the Board of Trustees for Jacksonville Baptist College.
Glendale enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren as they were growing up. He studied the Bible avidly and also enjoyed reading Christian books, especially those written by Dr. Charles Stanley.
Visitation was held the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Calvary Baptist Church.
Officiating at the 10 a.m. funeral service was Rev. Terry Skinner, Rev. Robert Easterling, and Mr. Elton Moore.
Special music was provided by Leslie Freeman, playing prelude and postlude music; and Shelby Race and Bud Black, who sang “Amazing Grace.”
Burial was at Antioch Cemetery. Pallbearers were Casey Crocker, Ben Black, Cory Black, Brett Walker, Elton Moore and Donald Mullen. The Deacons of Calvary Baptist Church served as honorary pallbearers.
Glendale is survived by his wife, Shelba Jean; two sons, Bud Black and wife Kelly and Steve Black and wife Melinda, all of Fairfield;
Grandchildren Julie Crocker and husband Casey of Tomball; Lauren Ashley Black of Houston; Ben Black and wife Brianne of Manvel; Cory Black of San Antonio; Brett Walker and wife Jenn of Richmond; and Katy Conner of Fairfield;
Great-grandchildren Cameron Crocker, Hadley Walker, Hannah Walker and Killian Conner;
Sisters Mozelle Cherry of Longview, and Doris Casey and husband Roy Jr. of Fairfield; brother-in-law Kenneth Wayne Key of Houston; sister-in-law Kay Key of Fairfield; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Harold Brown, a brother-in-law W. H. Cherry, and another brother-in-law, Maxie Glenn Key.
Services were under the direction of Capps Memorial Chapel of Fairfield.
To view an online obituary, send a personalized sympathy card, or leave the family a personal tribute, please visit our website at www.cappschapel.com
