Roy Fredrick Black's Obituary
Roy Fredrick Black passed from this life to be with God on October 5, 2018, with his wife of 57 years, Barbara Ruth Moss Black, holding his hand and friends and family gathered around to sing him into Glory. Roy lived in many places throughout his life and has left a vast web of friends across the county. Roy started his life in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, on August 26, 1935, as one of five children of Fredrick Carl August Black and Elsie Gladys Beggs Black. Elsie and Fredrick moved to Florida and Roy started first grade in Marianna Florida. The family settled in the Orlando area when Roy was in junior high. Roy was one of the second graduating class from Boone High school in 1954.
Roy worked many jobs in his life, at Publix and as an irrigation technician, an electro-mechanical designer, a public school teacher, and, his passion and calling, a pastor. Roy loved learning as evidenced by the multiple degrees he achieved. He received an AA degree from Orlando Junior College, then was called to go to The Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Roy arrived in Fort Worth at the end of January 1961 and it was the first week there that he met Ruth at Travis Avenue Baptist Church. Roy married Ruth on August 12, 1961. While at the seminary, Roy completed a Bachelor of Religious Education at Southwestern, a Bachelor of Science degree at Texas Wesleyan University, a Bachelor of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which was later converted to a Master of Divinity. It was during this time that Crystal Lee Black was added to the family.
Upon completing his formal education in Texas, Roy, Ruth and Crystal returned to Florida. Roy worked as an electro-mechanical designer until finding a church to pastor. Roy was called to Pinecrest Baptist Church in Sandford, Florida, where he started pastoring in September 1967, which was also a momentous month because Rex Alan Black joined the family then. Roy served Pinecrest Baptist Church until 1971, when he left full-time church service to teach in public schools. Roy taught at Teague Middle School, Milwee Middle School, Tuskawilla Middle School, and finally Ovieda High School. During that time, Roy served as interim pastor at a number of small Baptist churches in the Orlando area. Roy retired from teaching on November 30, 1995.
Roy and Ruth then moved to Kimball, Nebraska, where Roy pastored the Kimball Baptist Church. Roy and Ruth stayed in Kimball until 2000, then moved to Green River, Wyoming. Roy served as pastor in Green River for four years. In January of 2004, Roy and Ruth moved back to Florida. For the next twelve years Roy and Ruth spent six months in Florida and six months in Wyoming, except for one six-month period in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. While in Wyoming, Roy served small Southern Baptist Churches as a supply pastor. Health issues prevented Roy from returning to Wyoming as a pastor, though his heart longed to be there.
Roy loved animals, particularly cats, the beauty of God’s creation, and his wife Ruth, but most of all he loved his Savior. Roy has gone to join his mother Elsie, his father Fredrick, his brother Richard, and his sister Roberta to sing in God’s choir. Roy leaves Ruth, his daughter Crystal Black (Gregory Harris), his son Rex Black (Kelley Thornton Black), his grandchildren Ian Black (Beverly Black), Erika Atkinson (Shaheim Atkinson), Cecilia Black, Naomi Harris, bonus grandchildren Jacob Wurtz, Will Wurtz, sister Ruth Moore (Bob Moore) brother Roger Black (Patsy Black), brother-in-law Rex Moss (Patsy Moss), sister-in-law Joan Denstorff (Jerry Denstorff), numerous nieces and nephews, and a wealth friends who will miss his quick dry wit but will continue to share the Creator’s love in ever-widening circles.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at the First Baptist Church Tavares. A Funeral Service will follow in the church at 11:00AM. Interment will take place at Lakeside Memory Gardens, Eustis.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to First Baptist Church of Tavares, Tavares, Florida or The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention or The Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com
What’s your fondest memory of Roy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roy?
Share a story where Roy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roy you’ll never forget.
How did Roy make you smile?
