On the morning of January 24, 2005, ZerNona Stewart Black slipped away quietly to be with her heavenly father. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to James and Juanita Wooten Stewart, little ZerNona experienced tragedy at a young age. When she was just a few months old, her mother died suddenly.
As a young girl she gained an appreciation for entrepreneurship while observing her father open his own outdoor "colored" movie theatre and tailor chops in Oklahoma and New York City.
ZerNona graduated from the public schools of Muskogee and furthered her education at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and education. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Indiana University, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University. Early in her career, ZerNona taught communication, drama, speech, radio, leadership, development, and physical education. She later taught those same classes while serving as the head of the drama department at Langston College, a historically black institution in Langston, Oklahoma, before coming to San Antonio. Years later, she also taught at St. Philip's College.
ZerNona moved to San Antonio from New York in the early 1940's after accepting a three-month assignment by the YWCA to run the San Antonio USO for Black Military. She soon met Rev. Claude William Black, Jr. and in 1946 they were married. What was to have been a three month stint ultimately became a sixty-year love affair with South Texas and San Antonio. She went on to receive numerous honors, awards, and recognitions for her work in the community and in her beloved Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
She shared her love and compassion with individuals in the San Antonio community and worked diligently to improve the lives of its older citizens. In demonstrating her concern for seniors, she envisioned the first multi-service center for the elderly, located in the then-East Terrace Housing Project. Pursuing her passion for reaching out to others, she later served as Executive Director of the Senior Opportunity Services (SOS) at Roseville Apartments, a project of the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She co-founded Health, Inc., a day care agency for the elderly; the San Antonio chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.; and the San Antonio Mothers Service Organization. She was a two-term chair of the Pine Street YWCA and served as Supervisor of Youth Work for the National Baptist Convention of America. She also found time to volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women.
ZerNona's patience, love and concern were heaped upon congregation of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, where she was the First Lady for 49 years. Having a very active life with the Church, Sis. Black served as a Sunday School teacher and a Vacation Bible School Instructor to scores of young children. She worked diligently with the Ministers, Deacons, and Trustees' Wives Council, headed the Church's drama ministry, and served as Chairlady of Women's Day. She brightened the lives of all the members with whom she came in contact.
A woman of great style and substance who was a tower of strength for her activist husband and children, she was dubbed "Miss Personality" by the late Rev. J. J. Rector, Sr. During the 1950s and 1960s, Ms. Black served alongside her husband in the Civil Rights Movement.
The city of San Antonio has created The Rev. Claude and ZerNona Black Scholarship Endowment Fund.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Stewart Thomas; daughter, Joyce Matthews; grandsons, Jay Stewart Thomas and David Thomas; granddaughter Herkemba Matthews, and sister, Edwina Hayes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Rev. Claude Black, Jr., grandson Claude William Thomas(Elizabeth) of New York, NY; grandson Taj Ian Matthews(Cheryl)and granddaughter, Chantey Matthews of Jacksonville, FL;granddaughter-in-law, Geralde Thomas of New York, NY; a cousin, Dr. John Q. Taylor King of Austin, TX; eight great grandchildren, Deasia Matthews, Taj Omari Matthews, and Montero Brooks of Jacksonville; David Thomas, Deja Thomas, Kiara Thomas, Elijah Thomas, Jakail Thomas, all of New York, NY; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Milton and Marietta Deas of Chicago, IL; special caregivers, Billie Wilson, William Flores, Mrs. Cortes; LaDell Mellieon, and Vastine Pendergraph; a host of loving relatives and friends; and a church family who will always cherish her memory.∼Mrs. Black was raised by her father, James R. Stewart* (a well to do tailor,who owned his own shop, and by 1930 had become a real estate broker) and step-mother, Minnie Juanita Woodson-Stewart. She spent her formative years in Muskogee and was cousin to Carter G. Woodson (founder of Black History Month). In 1943, she became Director of the San Antonio YMCA-US0 for Black Military (a group formed to help morale for African-American service members and their families). During that time she met her husband Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. They were married Feb. 7, 1945. In the 1950s and '60s, Mrs. Black served alongside her husband in the civil rights activism. Mrs. Black founded several senior citizen daycare centers and earned recognition from the nation's capital. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a noted African-American women's sorority. Over the years she taught Communications, Drama, Speech, Radio and Physical Education at Langston University in Oklahoma, and St. Phillips College in San Antonio. Mrs. Black died peacefully in her sleep two weeks short of her 59th wedding anniversary.
*Source: U.S. Census 1910 and 1930.
As a young girl she gained an appreciation for entrepreneurship while observing her father open his own outdoor "colored" movie theatre and tailor chops in Oklahoma and New York City.
ZerNona graduated from the public schools of Muskogee and furthered her education at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and education. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Indiana University, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University. Early in her career, ZerNona taught communication, drama, speech, radio, leadership, development, and physical education. She later taught those same classes while serving as the head of the drama department at Langston College, a historically black institution in Langston, Oklahoma, before coming to San Antonio. Years later, she also taught at St. Philip's College.
ZerNona moved to San Antonio from New York in the early 1940's after accepting a three-month assignment by the YWCA to run the San Antonio USO for Black Military. She soon met Rev. Claude William Black, Jr. and in 1946 they were married. What was to have been a three month stint ultimately became a sixty-year love affair with South Texas and San Antonio. She went on to receive numerous honors, awards, and recognitions for her work in the community and in her beloved Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
She shared her love and compassion with individuals in the San Antonio community and worked diligently to improve the lives of its older citizens. In demonstrating her concern for seniors, she envisioned the first multi-service center for the elderly, located in the then-East Terrace Housing Project. Pursuing her passion for reaching out to others, she later served as Executive Director of the Senior Opportunity Services (SOS) at Roseville Apartments, a project of the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She co-founded Health, Inc., a day care agency for the elderly; the San Antonio chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.; and the San Antonio Mothers Service Organization. She was a two-term chair of the Pine Street YWCA and served as Supervisor of Youth Work for the National Baptist Convention of America. She also found time to volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women.
ZerNona's patience, love and concern were heaped upon congregation of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, where she was the First Lady for 49 years. Having a very active life with the Church, Sis. Black served as a Sunday School teacher and a Vacation Bible School Instructor to scores of young children. She worked diligently with the Ministers, Deacons, and Trustees' Wives Council, headed the Church's drama ministry, and served as Chairlady of Women's Day. She brightened the lives of all the members with whom she came in contact.
A woman of great style and substance who was a tower of strength for her activist husband and children, she was dubbed "Miss Personality" by the late Rev. J. J. Rector, Sr. During the 1950s and 1960s, Ms. Black served alongside her husband in the Civil Rights Movement.
The city of San Antonio has created The Rev. Claude and ZerNona Black Scholarship Endowment Fund.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Stewart Thomas; daughter, Joyce Matthews; grandsons, Jay Stewart Thomas and David Thomas; granddaughter Herkemba Matthews, and sister, Edwina Hayes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Rev. Claude Black, Jr., grandson Claude William Thomas(Elizabeth) of New York, NY; grandson Taj Ian Matthews(Cheryl)and granddaughter, Chantey Matthews of Jacksonville, FL;granddaughter-in-law, Geralde Thomas of New York, NY; a cousin, Dr. John Q. Taylor King of Austin, TX; eight great grandchildren, Deasia Matthews, Taj Omari Matthews, and Montero Brooks of Jacksonville; David Thomas, Deja Thomas, Kiara Thomas, Elijah Thomas, Jakail Thomas, all of New York, NY; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Milton and Marietta Deas of Chicago, IL; special caregivers, Billie Wilson, William Flores, Mrs. Cortes; LaDell Mellieon, and Vastine Pendergraph; a host of loving relatives and friends; and a church family who will always cherish her memory.∼Mrs. Black was raised by her father, James R. Stewart* (a well to do tailor,who owned his own shop, and by 1930 had become a real estate broker) and step-mother, Minnie Juanita Woodson-Stewart. She spent her formative years in Muskogee and was cousin to Carter G. Woodson (founder of Black History Month). In 1943, she became Director of the San Antonio YMCA-US0 for Black Military (a group formed to help morale for African-American service members and their families). During that time she met her husband Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. They were married Feb. 7, 1945. In the 1950s and '60s, Mrs. Black served alongside her husband in the civil rights activism. Mrs. Black founded several senior citizen daycare centers and earned recognition from the nation's capital. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a noted African-American women's sorority. Over the years she taught Communications, Drama, Speech, Radio and Physical Education at Langston University in Oklahoma, and St. Phillips College in San Antonio. Mrs. Black died peacefully in her sleep two weeks short of her 59th wedding anniversary.
*Source: U.S. Census 1910 and 1930.
On the morning of January 24, 2005, ZerNona Stewart Black slipped away quietly to be with her heavenly father. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to James and Juanita Wooten Stewart, little ZerNona experienced tragedy at a young age. When she was just a few months old, her mother died suddenly.
As a young girl she gained an appreciation for entrepreneurship while observing her father open his own outdoor "colored" movie theatre and tailor chops in Oklahoma and New York City.
ZerNona graduated from the public schools of Muskogee and furthered her education at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and education. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Indiana University, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University. Early in her career, ZerNona taught communication, drama, speech, radio, leadership, development, and physical education. She later taught those same classes while serving as the head of the drama department at Langston College, a historically black institution in Langston, Oklahoma, before coming to San Antonio. Years later, she also taught at St. Philip's College.
ZerNona moved to San Antonio from New York in the early 1940's after accepting a three-month assignment by the YWCA to run the San Antonio USO for Black Military. She soon met Rev. Claude William Black, Jr. and in 1946 they were married. What was to have been a three month stint ultimately became a sixty-year love affair with South Texas and San Antonio. She went on to receive numerous honors, awards, and recognitions for her work in the community and in her beloved Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
She shared her love and compassion with individuals in the San Antonio community and worked diligently to improve the lives of its older citizens. In demonstrating her concern for seniors, she envisioned the first multi-service center for the elderly, located in the then-East Terrace Housing Project. Pursuing her passion for reaching out to others, she later served as Executive Director of the Senior Opportunity Services (SOS) at Roseville Apartments, a project of the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She co-founded Health, Inc., a day care agency for the elderly; the San Antonio chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.; and the San Antonio Mothers Service Organization. She was a two-term chair of the Pine Street YWCA and served as Supervisor of Youth Work for the National Baptist Convention of America. She also found time to volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women.
ZerNona's patience, love and concern were heaped upon congregation of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, where she was the First Lady for 49 years. Having a very active life with the Church, Sis. Black served as a Sunday School teacher and a Vacation Bible School Instructor to scores of young children. She worked diligently with the Ministers, Deacons, and Trustees' Wives Council, headed the Church's drama ministry, and served as Chairlady of Women's Day. She brightened the lives of all the members with whom she came in contact.
A woman of great style and substance who was a tower of strength for her activist husband and children, she was dubbed "Miss Personality" by the late Rev. J. J. Rector, Sr. During the 1950s and 1960s, Ms. Black served alongside her husband in the Civil Rights Movement.
The city of San Antonio has created The Rev. Claude and ZerNona Black Scholarship Endowment Fund.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Stewart Thomas; daughter, Joyce Matthews; grandsons, Jay Stewart Thomas and David Thomas; granddaughter Herkemba Matthews, and sister, Edwina Hayes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Rev. Claude Black, Jr., grandson Claude William Thomas(Elizabeth) of New York, NY; grandson Taj Ian Matthews(Cheryl)and granddaughter, Chantey Matthews of Jacksonville, FL;granddaughter-in-law, Geralde Thomas of New York, NY; a cousin, Dr. John Q. Taylor King of Austin, TX; eight great grandchildren, Deasia Matthews, Taj Omari Matthews, and Montero Brooks of Jacksonville; David Thomas, Deja Thomas, Kiara Thomas, Elijah Thomas, Jakail Thomas, all of New York, NY; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Milton and Marietta Deas of Chicago, IL; special caregivers, Billie Wilson, William Flores, Mrs. Cortes; LaDell Mellieon, and Vastine Pendergraph; a host of loving relatives and friends; and a church family who will always cherish her memory.∼Mrs. Black was raised by her father, James R. Stewart* (a well to do tailor,who owned his own shop, and by 1930 had become a real estate broker) and step-mother, Minnie Juanita Woodson-Stewart. She spent her formative years in Muskogee and was cousin to Carter G. Woodson (founder of Black History Month). In 1943, she became Director of the San Antonio YMCA-US0 for Black Military (a group formed to help morale for African-American service members and their families). During that time she met her husband Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. They were married Feb. 7, 1945. In the 1950s and '60s, Mrs. Black served alongside her husband in the civil rights activism. Mrs. Black founded several senior citizen daycare centers and earned recognition from the nation's capital. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a noted African-American women's sorority. Over the years she taught Communications, Drama, Speech, Radio and Physical Education at Langston University in Oklahoma, and St. Phillips College in San Antonio. Mrs. Black died peacefully in her sleep two weeks short of her 59th wedding anniversary.
*Source: U.S. Census 1910 and 1930.
As a young girl she gained an appreciation for entrepreneurship while observing her father open his own outdoor "colored" movie theatre and tailor chops in Oklahoma and New York City.
ZerNona graduated from the public schools of Muskogee and furthered her education at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and education. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Indiana University, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University. Early in her career, ZerNona taught communication, drama, speech, radio, leadership, development, and physical education. She later taught those same classes while serving as the head of the drama department at Langston College, a historically black institution in Langston, Oklahoma, before coming to San Antonio. Years later, she also taught at St. Philip's College.
ZerNona moved to San Antonio from New York in the early 1940's after accepting a three-month assignment by the YWCA to run the San Antonio USO for Black Military. She soon met Rev. Claude William Black, Jr. and in 1946 they were married. What was to have been a three month stint ultimately became a sixty-year love affair with South Texas and San Antonio. She went on to receive numerous honors, awards, and recognitions for her work in the community and in her beloved Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
She shared her love and compassion with individuals in the San Antonio community and worked diligently to improve the lives of its older citizens. In demonstrating her concern for seniors, she envisioned the first multi-service center for the elderly, located in the then-East Terrace Housing Project. Pursuing her passion for reaching out to others, she later served as Executive Director of the Senior Opportunity Services (SOS) at Roseville Apartments, a project of the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She co-founded Health, Inc., a day care agency for the elderly; the San Antonio chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.; and the San Antonio Mothers Service Organization. She was a two-term chair of the Pine Street YWCA and served as Supervisor of Youth Work for the National Baptist Convention of America. She also found time to volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women.
ZerNona's patience, love and concern were heaped upon congregation of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, where she was the First Lady for 49 years. Having a very active life with the Church, Sis. Black served as a Sunday School teacher and a Vacation Bible School Instructor to scores of young children. She worked diligently with the Ministers, Deacons, and Trustees' Wives Council, headed the Church's drama ministry, and served as Chairlady of Women's Day. She brightened the lives of all the members with whom she came in contact.
A woman of great style and substance who was a tower of strength for her activist husband and children, she was dubbed "Miss Personality" by the late Rev. J. J. Rector, Sr. During the 1950s and 1960s, Ms. Black served alongside her husband in the Civil Rights Movement.
The city of San Antonio has created The Rev. Claude and ZerNona Black Scholarship Endowment Fund.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Stewart Thomas; daughter, Joyce Matthews; grandsons, Jay Stewart Thomas and David Thomas; granddaughter Herkemba Matthews, and sister, Edwina Hayes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Rev. Claude Black, Jr., grandson Claude William Thomas(Elizabeth) of New York, NY; grandson Taj Ian Matthews(Cheryl)and granddaughter, Chantey Matthews of Jacksonville, FL;granddaughter-in-law, Geralde Thomas of New York, NY; a cousin, Dr. John Q. Taylor King of Austin, TX; eight great grandchildren, Deasia Matthews, Taj Omari Matthews, and Montero Brooks of Jacksonville; David Thomas, Deja Thomas, Kiara Thomas, Elijah Thomas, Jakail Thomas, all of New York, NY; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Milton and Marietta Deas of Chicago, IL; special caregivers, Billie Wilson, William Flores, Mrs. Cortes; LaDell Mellieon, and Vastine Pendergraph; a host of loving relatives and friends; and a church family who will always cherish her memory.∼Mrs. Black was raised by her father, James R. Stewart* (a well to do tailor,who owned his own shop, and by 1930 had become a real estate broker) and step-mother, Minnie Juanita Woodson-Stewart. She spent her formative years in Muskogee and was cousin to Carter G. Woodson (founder of Black History Month). In 1943, she became Director of the San Antonio YMCA-US0 for Black Military (a group formed to help morale for African-American service members and their families). During that time she met her husband Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. They were married Feb. 7, 1945. In the 1950s and '60s, Mrs. Black served alongside her husband in the civil rights activism. Mrs. Black founded several senior citizen daycare centers and earned recognition from the nation's capital. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a noted African-American women's sorority. Over the years she taught Communications, Drama, Speech, Radio and Physical Education at Langston University in Oklahoma, and St. Phillips College in San Antonio. Mrs. Black died peacefully in her sleep two weeks short of her 59th wedding anniversary.
*Source: U.S. Census 1910 and 1930.
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