L. B. Black

L. B. Black, son of the late Vern and Lou Tucker Black, was born on December 11, 1924, in Gray Ridge, MO and passed away on September 30, 2010, at the age of 85. Mr. Black owned Black's grocery for over 25 years in Essex. Mr. Black was a veteran of the United States Army Air Core serving as turret gunner in World War II, stationed in Bari, Italy. Mr. Black was secretary/treasurer of the Essex cemetery for many years, member of the Dexter American Legion, Past Master of the Essex Masonic Lodge and a member of the Harvest Assembly of God Church. Mr. Black was best known for his honorable and kind spirit. He was united in marriage to Virginia Dane Hillis on December 21, 1946, at Piggott Arkansas. Mrs. Black preceded him in death on May 26, 2005. He is survived by three daughters, Karen Galloway of Essex, MO, Kay Wooley (husband Boyce) of Dexter, MO, Kathy Leinenbach (husband Steve) of Chesterfield, MO; eight grandchildren, Jenna Huntebrinker, Blake Duckworth, Kyle Galloway, Bobbi Kay Parker, Leigh Anne Lawrence, Brandon Wooley, Angie Leinenbach, Brent Leinenbach; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bille Eastwood of O'Fallon, MO and Eunice Squires of Flint Michigan. One brother, William Wiley Black and 2 sisters, Bonnie Arneson and Evelyn Black preceded him in death. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. Larrie Burdine of Essex officiating. Interment will follow at the Essex Cemetery with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.