Obituary of George Aubrey Black Sr.

Mr. George Aubrey Black, Sr. passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. He gave his life to Christ at an early age and has been a member of Trinity Baptist Church since 1994. On a daily basis Dad would ask for a change of his CD player, then place headphones on to listen to Scripture read by Alexander Scourby.  When daily devotional ended, he would tune into MSNBC to get the latest braking news flash. The news was continuously horrific, his comment was always to hold onto God’s unchanging hand and the process of salvation.

Mr. Black was born in the early Spring of 1925 on the 6th of March. His parents were South Carolinians, Dorsey and Georgia Black. To remove their family from the South to a better life, they became members of the Great Black Migration to settle in Richmond, Va. in 1929 with older son Dorsey and younger sister Dorothy. During the year of his family’s flight north, the American economy suffered through the Great Depression. With clear thought and ever-present memory, he shared with his children challenges regarding daily nutrition, fuel acquisition for warmth in the cold winters, suitable seasonal clothing for elemental protection and societal interactions in keeping with race laws of the time. Many facets of Mr. Black’s long life served as a constant source of conversation that he shared with his children & step children to equip them with skills in order to navigate through American society. 

Mr. Black became resourceful at a young age when he began delivering groceries, working at corner stores and Atlas Bakery to supplement family income. He joined the Navy in June of 1943, upon completion of service became an employee at McGuire Veteran’s Hospital on May 2, 1946 until retirement on March 6, 1980.  He married our Mother, the late Mary H. Black in August 1946, from that Union came 4 children, the late Rodney Black, Susan Woodson (Josh), George Black, Jr. (Alice), and Joyce Black.  Mr. Black married the late Margaret Black in February 1988, this Union brought into his life three step children and a grandson, Lisa’s, Linda, John and AJ. These two families merged to bring a house full of joy, merriment and celebration to fill Mr. Black’s life with God’s blessing of family. 

The day before passing, he commented about the 90-year friendship he celebrated with Mr. Delaware Bridgeforth, who resides at McGuire VA Hospital. Whenever Dad had a medical appointment he would visit Mr. Delly, who is 96 years old. The comment was, Delly is the only friend left. Indeed Mr. Delly is the last of the Jackson Ward soldiers of our father’s friendship circle. 

Mr. Black was graced by God to live 95 years, was blessed with a sound mine, strong memory, activity of his limbs, and the eternal love and gratitude given him by family and friends. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, three children Susan (Josh), George Jr. (Alice), and Joyce,; grandfather to George III, Ronald, Timothy, sister, Dorothy Grooms, great grandfather to Gregory, Rahsaan, Taylor, Zoé, Zion, Zane & Zuriel, Uncle to Dale, Glen, Keith and Ann; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and the Hallelujah Section of Trinity Baptist Church. Preceded in death were son Rodney Black and Grandson Rahsaan Black. 

Dad will be missed and continuously loved by all whose lives he touched.