Shirley Richard Black, age 102, a kind man, a quiet man of strong faith and good deeds passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. He was born November 19, 1923, in Cherryville, NC to the late Elnora Blackburn Black and Lloyd Grafton Black, Sr. He was preceded in death by his wife, Earlene Buckner Black; son, Richard Earl Black; grandson, Christopher Holland; special friend, Frances Southard; and three brothers, James Lloyd Black, William Herbert Black, and a stepbrother, James Lloyd Black, Jr.

After graduating from Leaksville, NC High School in 1940, he was employed by Marshal Field & Co until he enlisted in the Navy during WWII on October 16, 1942, and proudly served 38 months before being Honorably Discharged in December, 1945.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Vicki Black Holland of Smithfield; three grandchildren, Patience Maynard (Jonathan), Beth Shipley (Billy), and Cline Black; six great-grandchildren, Lane, Krista, and Lennie Rae Holland, Jordan and Jamie Maynard, and Azzie Shipley; 2 great—great-grandchildren, Matthew Woodruff and Hudson Holland; and a stepbrother, James Archer Black of Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Parrish Funeral Home on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

His love for Lionism played an important role in his life. He served as club secretary for 47 continuous years, believed to be a state record. His club honored him with a Life Membership in Lions International. He was rewarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship that is the highest award of Lions International Foundation and a Jack Stickley Fellowship that is the highest award given by North Carolina Lions Inc.

With more than 40 years of service, he retired as a superintendent at Fieldcrest-Cannon Automatic Blanket Plant in Smithfield when it closed in 1991. In retirement, he continued his active role as a charter member at Sharon Baptist Church in Smithfield, where he established the church’s history room.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be sent to Lions Club of Smithfield.