Earl Ray Black

Earl Ray Black, beloved and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend went to be with his Lord on Friday June 28th, 2024 at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his loving wife Rebecca Joyce (Joy) Black and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ivan Earl and Willie Mae Black, and his brother Ronnie Ivan Black. He is survived by his brother James Grady Black (Sandy) of DeRidder, LA. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Rebecca Joyce Black (nee Fleming) and their three sons Alan Black (Susan), Ken Black (Sherry) and Ron Black (Jane).

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Craig Black (Alicia), Dominick Black (Elizabeth), Alyssa Black (Ross), Kimmy Bucka (Aaron), Conner Black (Maria), Katie McPherson (Travis), Andrew Black and six great-grandchildren, who will hold fond memories of time spent with Grandma and Grandpa at home and camping.

Earl was born July 22, 1938 in DeRidder, Louisiana. He grew up on the family farm, hunting and herding cows from horseback with his brothers through the southwestern Louisiana woods. He played high school football in DeRidder and went on to McNeese State for his bachelor degree in Education. During a college summer break, he worked for his Uncle Gene in Lakeland FL, where he met the love of his life.

After graduating college, Earl was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and Army reserves, completing his Army service as a Captain. After completing his Army service, Earl taught Industrial Arts at Lakeland High School for 30 years while raising his family. In addition to teaching woodworking and shop skills, he was a professional painter, carpenter, and handy-man who could build or fix anything. He often drafted his three boys to work with him after school, especially when they needed some extra guidance. Known for his woodworking skills, he was always available to work on building and repair projects at Edgewood Baptist Church, and traveled to Louisiana with a group from Edgewood to help rebuild churches after hurricane devastation.

Earl was an accomplished amateur athlete in several sports. He was ranked nationally in master’s level racquetball and played on several National Championship Softball teams. Earl shared his love of sports and outdoors with his children, spending untold hours playing softball, football, and racquetball with his boys and their friends. “Mr. Black” was a role model to many young men who played with him on church softball teams, in racquetball tournaments, and in ad hoc pick-up games at his house after school.

After retiring at an early age, Earl and Joy traveled throughout the U.S., camping, hiking, chasing waterfalls, and fishing with close friends and family. When back at home, Earl claimed to travel in a small circle: home, biking around the neighborhood, trips to the YMCA for racquetball, and to church on Sundays. Although he claimed a small circle, his absence is felt deeply by a large circle of former students, friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at The Church at Edgewood on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to One More Child (Florida Baptist Children’s Home), 1015 Sikes Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/donate/.