Gertrude (Trudy) Black

Gertrude (Trudy) Black, 91 years, went to be with the Lord on May 2, 2015, in Knoxville, Tennessee, after suffering a stroke. Christened Gertrude Mary Christena Render, Trudy was born on June 20, 1923, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Her love of dance led her to start teaching ballroom dancing in Boston where she had spent much of her youth. After coming to Laurel in 1959, she started the Trudy School of Dance and continued to teach dancing for many years. Later she was a bookkeeper at various businesses, Horne Nursery being the last. Trudy made many friends during her more than 50 years in Laurel. The “Birthday Girls” and the “DMA” (Don’t Mention Age) groups were very dear to her. She was especially happy to have taught reading in an adult literacy program. She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and always exhibited a devout faith in God. She was an avid reader, and she possessed a special talent for handiwork, even during the last months of her life. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Barclay and Anna Christena MacDougall Render, of Ontario, Canada, first husband Augustus Sheldon Harris, and second husband of 36 years, Arthur Guy Black. She is survived by two children: Sheldon Charles Harris (Diana Marie), Missoula, MT, and JoAnna Maria Harris Webb (William David), Knoxville, TN; six grandchildren: Laurel Harris Powell (Buddy), Houston, TX; Sheldon Scott Harris, Missoula, MT; Joseph Mark Webb (Emma), Knoxville, TN; Stephen David Webb (Celeste), Nashville, TN; Christopher Andrew Webb (Michele), Chattanooga, TN; Catherine Marie Sarmadi (Paykon), Roanoke, VA; twelve great grandchildren; niece, Lynn Wilkinson, Laurel, MS; great nephew Michael Warren, Hattiesburg, MS. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Memory Chapel, Laurel, MS. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, followed by interment at Sunset Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Laurel, MS, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Gertrude (Trudy) Black

June 20, 1923 - May 2, 2015