Helen Virginia Ward Black

Mrs. Helen Virginia Ward Black, age 81, devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away Sunday, December 26, 2010.

She was born and reared at Chestnut Grove in Coffee County, Al. She lived in Brundidge, AL. for 58 years. A patient and kind woman, she was a pillar of strength and grace and elegance. She instilled in her family the importance of hard work, honesty, loyalty, and the value of family. She loved the Lord and appreciated His gifts of joy, peace, and hope.

Mrs. Black was preceded in death by her parents Mamie (Turner) Ward and Derrah W. Ward, her brothers Jack Ward, Parker Ward, Roy Ward, W.C. Ward, Harold Ward, and Braxton Ward, her sisters Lallie Strickland and Annie V. Lee.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years Cliff Black, two daughters and sons-in-law Donna and Arthur Ben Massey of Troy, AL. and Dale and Kenny Wilder of Navarre Beach, FL.; three grandsons Kristain Derrick Gibson of Navarre, Beach, FL., Jarrod Dane Massey and wife Sharon of Montgomery, and Cliff Kohner Massey and wife Jennifer of Montgomery; four great grandsons Jackson J Massey, Joseph Kohner Massey, William Tyler Massey, and Harrison Tucker Massey, a brother Ovis Ward and wife Mary Ann of Phenix City, AL., sister Doris Evelyn Sanders of Phenix City, AL., two sisters-in-law Murlene (Ward) Walker of Tallahassee, FL., and Ruthel Ward of Panama City, FL.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the St. John Baptist Church, Tarentum, AL., with Reverend Kenny Horn officiating. The family will be receiving friends at St. John Baptist Church from 10:00 until 11:00 Tuesday, December 28, 2010.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to St. John Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2158 County Road 3341, Brundidge, AL 36010, or Hospice Advantage, 413 S. Brundidge St., Troy, AL 36081.

To sign our online guestbook please visit our website at www.dillardfh.com.