Helen Lorraine Black

Helen "Lorraine" (Dawson) Black passed away peacefully on Friday, January 31, 2020, at the age of 78. She was born in Gloster, MS, on February 7, 1941, as the third eldest of 10 children. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and loyal friend to so many. Lorraine attended and graduated from Gloster High School as Valedictorian of her class in 1959. Shortly after graduating, she met and married the love of her life, Thomas A. Black from Ackerman, MS, on a rainy night at Mary Springs Church in Gloster.

They made their home in Ackerman, MS near the community of Chester where they farmed and raised two children, a son and daughter. Lorraine worked at the Shoe Factory in Ackerman, then later decided to become a stay at home mom after they began their family. Once the children started school, she re-entered the workforce as a clerk in the Choctaw County Welfare Department where she retired after 30 years of service. She and Thomas joined Chester Baptist Church where Lorraine took great pleasure in serving her Lord, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and assisting others in their community. Lorraine and Thomas enjoyed serving with the youth group at Chester Baptist Church and chaperoning several rather adventurous trips. She will be remembered as a radiant, shining light in the community and church where she served with the people she adored.

With the movement of the coal mine in Ackerman creeping closer to her dearly beloved home, Lorraine made the difficult decision to pick up roots and move back to her birthplace of Gloster, MS in 2018 to be closer to her siblings and extended family. Our grief is great, but we are comforted in the fact that she is singing in the Lord's choir and rejoicing with all the angels, knowing we will meet again.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Thomas A. Black, her mother Flora Mae(Brantley), her father John R. Dawson, her sister Lemoyne Whittington, her sister Louise Freeman, her sister Angela Burkett, and her grandson Kyle Black. She is survived by her son, Greg Black of Ackerman, MS, her daughter, Lisa Black Brister of Houston, TX, along with granddaughters Jessica Arndt of Maben, MS, Shannon Black of Ackerman, MS, Jillian and Paige Brister both of Houston, TX. Lorraine is also survived by her sister Marion Freeman, her brother John R. "D.D." Dawson, Jr., both of Gloster, MS, her sister Gwen Collier of Louisiana, her brother Kevin Dawson of Gloster, her sister Sherry Cook of Conway, AR, her sister Kathy Thomas of Gloster, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews all who held a very special place in her heart.

The family will gather to reminisce in the beautiful life of Helen "Lorraine" Black at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS, for visitation on Sunday, February 2, 2020, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 3, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Chester Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Nebo Cemetery near Ackerman, MS.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Nebo Cemetery.