James Coleman Black

James Coleman Black went to be with the Lord on Friday, 27 May 2016,at his home near Graham. At his passing, he was surrounded by his loving family.  Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Oak Street Baptist Church in Graham with Pastor Randy Carter of Van officiating, and burial following in Mountain Top Family Cemetery, Graham, Texas under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

James was born 22 March 1931 in Groveton, Texas to Lemuel Wayne Black and Edna Violet Hamil.  He was married 14 August 1962 in Jacksboro, TX to Mary Ruth Grantham Corbin who preceded him in death 11 Feb 2001.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Black and Edna Hall; brothers, John B., Lemuel Wayne, Jr., W.H. Morgan Black, and George Hooker Deer; sisters, Laura Black and Lois Black Settle; son, Tommy Corbin; great-grandson, Anthony James Pippin; nephew, Craig Bruckbauer and niece, Elaine Oxley.

Survivors include daughters, Jerri Corbin, Linda Corbin Pippin and husband, Ronnie, Becky Corbin Ribble and husband, Sammy, Susan Black Blackmon and husband Jerrell andJaime Black Hood and husband Dale all of Graham; also a son, Tony Black and wife, Ruthlynn, of Magnolia, Texas. Also, surviving are his grandchildrenTom Corbin and Cassidy Bern and Lorrie Bamford and husband, Reg, Edmond, OK, Ty Corbin, Brad Ribble and wife, Alicia, Ft. Worth, Brian Pippin and wife, Melissa, Sanger, Eric Arrell, Graham, Bethany Wilson and husband, Wade, Graham,Kelly Darden and husband, Shay, Beaumont, Bo Blackmon and wife, Caryn, McAllen, Amy Pippin, Ron Pippin and wife, Sunny, Jermyn and Jim Black, Lubbock. 23 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren survive. His brother, Roy Black and wife, Barbara of Fort Worth and special friend, Barbara McGaughey of Stamford, as well as, nieces Lynn Black Wernette, Susan BruckbauerKlepper and Mary Jo Deer Wood and nephews Roger Bruckbauer and Glen Settle also survive. Pall Bearers are grandsons Brad Ribble, Brian Pippin, Eric Arrell, Reg Bamford, Joshua Blackmon and Rusty Wells. Honorary Pall Bearers are Tom Corbin and Bill Norwood.  

James has been well known in the Graham area since the 1950s. As the owner/operator of Graham Ice and Locker he knew most everyone in this and surrounding communities.  Although he was a big bear of a man, he was always very gentle, loving, soft-spoken and generous, and we never meet anyone who didn’t like and admire him. Integrity and honesty was his method of doing business and his word was his bond. If he found out about anyone in need, he was quick to secretly help, but never wanted any credit or praise for any of his charity. It was always said that he could throw his hat in the Graham mayoral race on the day of the election and win by an overwhelmingly popular vote. A kinder, more generous man never lived and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

“We are confident that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” This verse in 2 Corinthians 5:8 comforts and assures us that our father, grandfather, brother and friend is in heaven right now enjoying the company of our Lord and loved ones that have gone on before him. He told us that he was ready and anxious to go to heaven, and he would often say, “If I don’t see you tomorrow, I’ll meet you in the morning”.

Our family would like to thank “young” Doctor Steve Jones and the staff of Beyond Faith Home Health and Hospice for their loving care and friendship- especially Sharon Smith, Amber New, Sandy Smith and Suzan Cornell.

Family visitation will be at Morrison Funeral Home Tuesday evening, May 31,2016 from 6pm-8pm.

Memorials may be made to Beyond Faith Hospice, 604 Oak St. Graham, TX. 76459 or Open Door Christian School, 735 Oak St. Graham, TX. 76450.