Obituaries

Mr. Robert Lester Black, age 76, of 3517 Crouse School Road in Crouse, died on Friday, April 20, 2012.

His funeral service will be 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the West Side House of Prayer with Rev. Todd Auton, Rev. Chris Randall, and Rev. Robert Goins officiating.  Burial will follow in the Leonard’s Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30 pm prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Black was born October 12, 1935 in Cleveland County to the late Ephraum and Mabel Devine Black.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Margariet Hoffman Black, and a daughter, Wanda Denise Auton.   He was a member of the Crouse Fire Department for 25 years and was the assistant county Forest Ranger for 10 years.   Most recently he worked as a clerk at Gasland. 

He is survived by a daughter, Elaine Cook of Crouse; one brother, Jack Black of Crouse; two sisters, Lola Whitesides of Lincolnton and Lena Penley of Cherryville; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews. 

Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC  28658.