Funeral services for Johnnie Elaine Black, 77, of Silsbee will be 10 am Saturday, October 24, 2009 at First Assembly of God Church under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home. Interment will follow in R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5 pm Friday at the funeral home.
Born September 24, 1932 in New Willard, TX, Elaine was the oldest child of Lloyd and Edna Swilley. She went to see her Lord and Savior October 20, 2009 after a year long stay in Silsbee Convalescent Center.
Mrs. Black was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law James Seaman, sister-in-law Betty Black, sister-in-law Ruby Modisette and husband F R, niece Belinda Steptoe and great niece Cari Ferguson.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Hubert Anderson Black; her only child, daughter Rhonda B. and husband Manuel Padilla and one adored grandchild Manuel Anderson (Trey) Padilla. She is also survived by her siblings, sister Melba Seaman and brother Jimmy Swilley and wife Jimmie Sue; brother-in-law Carl T. Black, brother-in-law Rev. Dee T. Black and wife D J, sister-in-law Marlene Steptoe and husband Manuel Ray; nieces Faith Ferguson, Lane Ramsey and husband Pat, Michelle Swilley, Pat Greer and husband Hal, Judy Crocket and husband George, Kathy Meyers and husband Steve, Elizabeth Sowell and husband Ronnie, Kristi Myers and husband Shawn; nephews Gary Seaman and wife Sheila, Jason Swilley, Travis Black and wife Karen, Jeff Black and wife Gina, Bruce Steptoe and wife Tammy, Alton Ray Steptoe and wife Ann, Michael Black and wife Terri and a host of great nieces, great nephews, great, grand nieces and great grand nephews.
Elaine was a long time resident of Silsbee. She graduated at the age of 15 and attended college at Piney Wood Business College in Lufkin. She worked in several accounting positions, Lufkin Mercury Lincoln Car Co., deputy auditor for Angelina County and master bookkeeper and personel manager for Woodland Heights Hospital in Lufkin. In 1969 Elaine resigned and moved with Hubert to Silsbee to open Black's Generator and Starter and Gas Station. She was the co-owner and accountant there for the next 35 years.
Elaine and Hubert made a lot of true friends and enjoyed visiting with everyone that came through the station.
Mrs. Black was always very involved with Church ministries. She accepted Christ as a young teenager and was baptized by the late Rev. Clyde Drake at First Assembly of God Church in Silsbee. She was a member there for many, many years and served as church secretary, music ministry, youth director, children's church director and Sunday school teacher. She organized a group of Bluebird Campfire girls and lead the group of girls, with the aid of some dedicated moms, all the way to high school age.
Elaine was an accomplished musician, playing the piano, accordian, organ and violin, both classical and Christian music. She was an exceptionally accomplished seamstress, making suits and curtains and also loved knitting, crocheting and embroidery. Her talents also included writing and illustrating stories and researching geneaology to join the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she is an inactive member.
Elaine's favorite thing to do was to serve and help others with a small gesture or an uplifting word - a meal or just a basket of homemade goodies. Her greatest delight was children and her greatest joy was having fun with Trey, inventing games for them to play and creating stories with interesting characters for him. As Trey would say, "You are the best Ginmother ever" and you are the best Momma ever. You will be missed and can never be replaced. You are one of a kind.
The family would like to thank the administrators and staff of Silsbee Convalescent Center for loving her and caring for her when we no longer could. Words cannot express how much we appreciate each and every one. Thank You.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 1st Assembly of God Church Building Fund, PO Box 75, Silsbee, TX 77656.
