John Black

Born in Roanoke, Virginia

Departed on February 22, 2015 and resided in Franklin, Tennessee

John Benjamin Black peacefully passed away at his home in Franklin, Tennessee, on February 22, 2015. Age 66. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia. His family settled in Bluefield, WV, where John attended Bluefield High School. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Architecture. A member of the Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets, he served on the Regimental Staff his senior year. He married Susie Tyson and served in the U.S. Army, at Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook, NJ. John and Susie settled in Nashville in 1974 and were charter members of Christ Presbyterian Church.

John was a gifted architect, spending most of his 35-year career in the health care sector. His family is most proud of his artistic endeavors. John founded his own art business, Harpeth Historical Prints, through which he published and sold his own original paintings and prints of local historical sites in Middle Tennessee, including Carnton Mansion and the Nashville Union Station. For several decades, he drew ink sketches of Grand Ole Opry stars for display in the Opryland Hotel.

John was a committed member of Christ Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder for 20 years, recently retiring with emeritus status in 2013. He was a gifted teacher and taught Sunday School and small groups for many years. John and Susie have remained committed to Christian education from Christ Presbyterian Academy's founding year in 1985, with John serving on the school board for several years including one year as chair.

His family will remember him most as a loyal, faithful husband and a father with a servant's heart. His children fondly remember spending valuable quantity time with their Dad over the years - long bike rides, playing basketball in the driveway, attending art shows, long road trips, and helping out around the house together.

Through his valiant and long five-year journey with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), John was known through his community for his unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the end, his ability to accept his diagnosis and thrive personally and spiritually despite continual physical setbacks that eventually robbed him of his ability to walk, write, eat, paint, hold his grandchildren, and speak, was truly inspirational. John remained committed to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and continually exhorted others to do the same. His legacy to his family will be one of perseverance and grace.

John is survived by his wife of 44 years Susie; his children Dr. Amy Valet (Rob) of Nashville, Abby Neff (Matt) of Metairie, LA, and Davy Black of Franklin; grandchildren Sam, Stephen, and Sawyer Valet; Knox, Ty, and Esther Neff; and his mother Bernice Black Hall and sister Nancy Black McDearmon both of Amherst, VA, and sister-in-law Susan Black of High Point, NC. He is pre-deceased by his father, Ben Black, and his younger brother, Rev. Rob Black. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christ Presbyterian Academy endowment fund.

Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2015 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Blvd. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Christ Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.

Arrangements by Harpeth Hills Funeral Home (615) 646-9292