FLORENCE (McCOLLUM) BLACK
August 26,1917 -September 10, 2016
Florence passed from this world Sept. 10, 2016, having lived a long and inspirational life. She always said she would live to be 100 years old. She very nearly accomplished her goal and celebrated her 99th birthday two weeks ago. She was blessed with amazingly good physical health until her death.
Florence was born in Reno but lived most of her life in Loyalton, Calif. She and her husband, Jack, also lived many years in Hawthorne where both worked at the Naval Ammunition Depot. After raising most of their family while in Hawthorne, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska where they continued working for the government and ultimately retired.
They moved back to Reno in 1972 and later returned to Loyalton where they spent most of their last years.
Florence’s greatest joy and source of pride was her large family. Her husband, Jack, died in 1991 but she is survived by their five children: Jean Gerbig (Walker, Calif.); John Black (Houston, Texas); Bill Black (Salem, Ore.), Adair Burkey (Boise, Idaho); David Black (Loyalton, Calif.) and a foster son, Fred Mayer (Visalia, Calif.). She is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 31 great-great grandchildren.
Florence was an amazing woman who left an indelible imprint on the many lives she touched. She believed there was good in all things and all people. Her greatest pleasure was giving to others with a bottomless well of kindness, patience, and forgiveness.
Florence will be missed terribly and always remembered with love, respect, and gratitude for the many valuable lessons she taught and examples she set during her long life.
