Reading Black

Reading Wood Black, 89, passed away February 16, 2007 in his home in Petersburg. He was surrounded by family and friends. Reading is survived by his loving wife Joan of 38 years; daughters Elizabeth Stephens and husband John of San Diego, CA and Maura Black of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Lorraine Sulser and great-grandchildren Cole, Tiffany and Beau Sulser all of San Diego, CA. He and his wife Joan settled in Petersburg in 1981 where they have enjoyed a retired life of travel, community service and Petersburg friends. His family shares memories of fishing, camping, woodworking, bowling and will remember a kind and gentle man. He was a Rotarian for many years and served four years on the Petersburg School Board. He loved his adopted city of Petersburg. He was born August 6, 1917 in Deming, New Mexico. He grew up in Texas, graduating from El Paso High School at the height of the depression. He enlisted in the Navy and served from 1936-1956, making him a Navy veteran of both WWII and the Korean Conflict. After retiring from naval service, he went on to earn a BS in Education and an MA in Educational Administration and Supervision from Memphis State University. During this time, he taught school in Memphis, TN. He later had an eleven year career in Civil Service related to the field of Education and went on to earn a Doctorate of Education from George Washington University. Before concluding his career, he spent four years as an Administrator at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA. A visitation will be held Saturday, March 10, 2007 from 4-6 p.m. at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Crater Community Hospice, 840 W. Roslyn Road, Suite E., Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .