“I grew up on a 180-acre farm near Sheehan and Nutt Road where the Nantucket Landing condos are now,” said Black, whose father, Russell, was a Washington Twp. trustee and member of the Centerville School Board. “We’ve had seven generations, including my children, on that land and my children are third-generation Centerville High School graduates.”
Black grew up in the farmhouse with her parents, Russell and Gladys Watkins and her grandparents, Arthur and Bertha Watkins. An only child, she enjoyed helping the adults with farm chores before leaving for school in the morning.
“There are so many things I remember about Centerville,” said Black, who worked part time during high school at the Stagecoach restaurant, located in downtown Centerville. “I remember the blizzard of 1950. My Dad pulled our sled with the tractor into town to buy groceries for our neighbors.”
Black was active in 4-H and while playing clarinet in the 4-H band, she met Brookville student and trumpet player, Jim Black. After graduating from Centerville High School in 1953 in a class of 23 students, Black studied education at Otterbein College for two years before marrying Jim Black, who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and went on to work for Sheffield Corp. in Dayton. Sheffield was acquired by Bendix Corporation from which Black eventually retired after 20 years to start his own company, James D. Black and Associates. Meanwhile, Janet Black taught third-grade students for the Centerville School District in a converted classroom in the basement of the Centerville United Methodist Church. She resigned after five years of teaching to remain at home with sons, Scott and Brian.
Scott Black graduated from Centerville High School in 1975 and attended Miami University where he earned a degree in business. He married the former Tina Smith of Centerville and currently lives in Atlanta with his second wife, Rose, while sharing custody of his son, Devin. Scott is co-owner of GO!Productions Inc.
Brian Black is a 1978 Centerville High School graduate who earned a degree in education from Miami University and currently teaches math at Talawanda High School. Brian’s wife, Leslie, is an Oxford native, who teaches the Butler Tech classes at Talawanda High School.
Black also worked at Mini’s Hallmark Store for three years before volunteering at St. Leonard Senior Living Community, where she moved her step-mother, Margaret Watkins and Jim’s parents, George and Olive Black. Her volunteer work turned into a 12-year career when she accepted the position of Activity Coordinator.
After retiring in 2000, Black devoted her time to volunteering in Centerville.
She held the position of president, vice president and second vice president in the Centerville Women’s Civic Club, is a member of the Historical Society and very involved with her husband in the Normandy United Methodist church where they are 50-year members and she is in charge of the kitchen during the annual church bazaar held in November.
Black is also in charge of the Congregational Care group, established at the church to assist families with funeral meals.
She is also on the United Methodist Women’s Board where she is a Local Church Person, in charge of helping to make improvements in the church.
Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com
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