Mr. Joseph Harold Black

Mr. Joseph Harold Black, 86, of Glen Alpine, NC died Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Grace Hospital. He was born August 6, 1921 in Burke County to the late William "Bud" and Annie White Black. He was a resident of Burke County for most of his life except during World War II where he and his wife, Mary, worked for the shipyards near Baltimore, MD. Harold retired from Broughton Hospital as the grounds supervisor. His love for beautiful flowers and shrubs was well known throughout Burke County. Harold was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine where he served as a trustee and had been a deacon for many years.Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Mary Stephens Black of the home; a son, Steve Black and wife, Tish, of Gay, Georgia; a daughter, Olivia Ann Byrd and husband, Royce of Glen Alpine; a brother, Ralph Black and wife, Estelle, of Morganton; sisters, Lenore Ann Cornelius of Birmingham, AL and Ruby Nell Graybeal and husband, Frank, of Morganton; grandchildren, Lee Byrd of Cherokee, NC, Jon Byrd of Hickory, NC, Allison Black of Washington, DC, and Taylor Black and wife, Sheryl, of Atlanta, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Black.Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, July 11, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine with Rev. Michael Brown and Chaplin Ted Swann officiating. Burial will follow in the Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 11 am until 12 noon at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690 or the First Baptist Church Building Fund of Glen Alpine, PO Box 557, Glen Alpine, NC 28628. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.