Richard Ashley Black, Sr.: Loris

1949 – 2017

    Richard Ashley Black, Sr. of Loris passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, at his home. He was 67.
    His ten year battle with Multiple System Atrophy is over.  The victory is won.
     Mr. Black was born in Clemson, a son of the late John B. “Jake” and Fannie Mae Ashley Black.  He was a graduate of Clemson University, Class of 1971 where he was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha (KA) Fraternity.  Mr. Black served in the US Army Reserves during the Vietnam Era and was honorably discharged as Captain.  He was Past President of the Myrtle Beach High School Booster Club, Past President of the Grand Strand Sertoma Club, and Past Director of the Loris Omar Shriners.  Mr. Black was a member of the Loris Masonic Lodge #205 AFM and was an Insurance Broker for over 35 years. 
    In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law, Boyd W. Sanders, Sr.; and brother-in-law, Boyd W. “Buddy” Sanders, Jr.
     Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Mary Jo Sanders Black; two sons, John Boyd Black and his wife, Holly, and Richard Ashley Black II  and his wife, Nichole; five grandchildren, Britton Kayla Black, Jacob Walker Black, Caitlyn Ashley Black, Bailey Nichole Black, and Carter Austin Black; one sister, Florence “Flossie” Delle Bonner (Frank) of Shelby; mother-in-law, Mary A. Sanders of Chester; sister-in-law, Betty Dove Sanders of Chester; three nieces, Kelly Sanders Yelvington (John) of Chester, Alison Bonner Dalton (Kevin) of Charlotte, and Florence Bonner Crawford (Brent) of Fort Myers, Florida; and one nephew, Bryan Wayne Sanders of Chester.
     Visitation was planned from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in the Loris First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
     Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Loris First Baptist Church with Dr. Louis Venable officiating, burial following in Holly Hill Cemetery with Military Honors and Masonic Rites.
     The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chuck Mills and to Heartland Hospice for their excellent care.
     Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or Loris First Baptist Church, 3117 Main Street, Loris, SC 29569.
    A guest register is available here.