James Milford Black

James Milford Black, age 85, of Blountsville, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his residence.  Milford was born on Sept. 6, 1939, the son of Robert Black and Emily Hammond Black.  

He graduated from J.B. Pennington High School in 1957.  On June 27, 1959, he was married to Cynthia Grigsby.  He served two years in the United States Army and then returned home to Blountsville.  He had a long career with Stone Container and had been retired a little more than 20 years.  

Milford loved his community and was honored to serve on the Blountsville Housing Authority for almost 50 years.  He was a member of the Blountsville Utilities Board and was a long-time member and past president of the Covered Bridge Auto Club.  He was a faithful member of Mtn. Grove Missionary Baptist Church. 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Cynthia Black; sons Jerry (Donna) Black and Barry (Kazann) Black; grandchildren Autumn (Jeremy) Cummings, Lacee (Derik) Snell, Jay (Kailee) Black, Emma Black (Symon Joiner), and Rylan Black; great-grandchildren Jaxson Snell, Eli Snell, Lavin Gillespie, Lily Cummings, and Piper Snell; host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Emily Black; infant son James Milford Black, Jr.; sisters Jeanie Helms and Joyce Dickie.

Funeral Service was Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Mtn. Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Michael Murphree and Jerry Hackney officiating.  Burial followed in South Cemetery.  Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Blountsville Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers were Jimmy Helms, Jeff Hunt, Brett Foust, Eddie Hardy, Joe Gossett, and Derik Snell.