Betty Black

Betty Black, 89, of Silsbee, Texas passed away Monday, October 10, 2022. She was born January 26th, 1933, in Smackover, Arkansas, to the late Jefferson Reed Thomas and Leona Carlisle Thomas. Funeral service was Saturday, October 15 at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee with burial following at RS Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee.

She married the love of her life, the late Billy G. Black in Eldorado, Arkansas in 1951. They were married nearly 70 years and had two children. Betty worked as an RN at Silsbee Drs. Hospital until it closed. She then worked a short time at St. Elizabeth. At 70 years old she did excellent at her physical exam; better than the younger candidates.

Betty enjoyed growing flowers. She could grow anything. Often said that she could make a rock grow leaves. She enjoyed the holidays and having her family all around her. Once you visited her house whatever special drink that was yours, she would make sure she had it for your next visit. She was born again in Woodrow Baptist Church. She later served many years in the kitchen and as a teacher in Friendship Baptist Church. She was a servant at heart. She will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy G. Black; daughter, Melinda Jean Black; great-granddaughter, Abigail Sharp; son-in-law one week ago, Cleve Sharp; brothers, Rudolph (Bubba) Thomas, Tommy (Tay) Thomas, JR (June) Thomas, and CC (Shorty) Thomas; sisters, Lois (Chichi) Thomas and honorary sister, Virginia “Jenny” Thomas.

Betty is survived by her children, Cindy Sharp and John Black and wife, Andrea; two grandchildren, Jay Sharp and wife Katherine and Faith Sharp; and eight great-grandchildren, Shane Mitchell, Jadyn Merrell and husband Mike, Heaven Koslosky, Jeremiah Sharp, Benjamin Sharp, and Jubilee Sharp; honorary grandchildren, Ethan Berwick and Amaris Berwick.