Ellen Pierson Black of Eastwood, NC passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on December 18, 2019 at the age of 92. She was born on October 14, 1927, in Alexandria, Virginia. She was born to Thomas and Annie Pierson. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Beth Ferrell, and husband Harold Everett Black.
She grew up in White Oak, the older sister to Amos and Thomas. When Ellen was in high school, her mother died from tuberculosis. A year later, they found a spot on Ellen’s lung and admitted her to McCain Hospital in Aberdeen. At that time, McCain was a recuperative hospital for TB patients. While living there she and some friends were sitting on the lawn one day when Harold and his brother Wink decided to stop on their way back from the beach. Even though the brothers gave the story that they had a huge “gourd farm”, Ellen and Harold started dating and were married on August 19, 1949. Ellen’s TB was never active, but she was advised never to have children-so she had five.
Although she was raised a Baptist, Ellen was a faithful member of Culdee and of the choir since her marriage to Harold. She was a remarkable woman that sewed, knitted, crocheted, raised a huge garden every year she canned and froze everything possible. She cooked a full breakfast (including biscuits) every morning and made sure everybody was at Sunday school and church every Sunday. When Kent was in high school, she went to Sandhills, became an RN and worked at the hospital for many years. Being a very competitive woman, she wouldn’t hesitate to break out the dictionary in a game of Scrabble or dominate the Senior Games as she captured all the medals. She was a very strong and steadfast woman who demanded only the best for her family and friends. Ellen loved to go dancing with her husband, Harold, and spending time with her beloved family.
She was famous for her chocolate pies that fetch a pretty penny every year at the Harvest Festival. When she would come to visit, she never came empty handed, whether it was flowers out of her garden or a jar of homemade pickles, you were in for a treat. She never complained or asked for help, she always wanted to be the one to help. She was the ultimate “church lady” and set a high goal for all of her family to try to reach. She represented a true love of life, her church, her husband, her family, and her community.
She is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Halverstadt (Rick), of Pinehurst, and Sylvia Balboni, of Pinehurst; two sons, Keith Black, of West End, Kent Black (Bonnie) of Southern Pines; a son-in-law, Jack Ferrell, of Goldsboro; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, 22nd December 2019 at 3 PM at Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the committal service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Myrtle Black Memorial Garden at Culdee Presbyterian Church at 916 NC 73, West End, NC 27376
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.