SHIRLEY L. BLACK

Shirley Leonard Black, 78, departed this life on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at her home.

Born on June 18, 1940, in the Silver community of Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Ferdinand and Ida Conyers Leonard. She lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her stepmother, the late Essie Leonard. Shirley devoted herself to the Lord and joined Friendship AME Church, Silver community, at an early age and served on many boards of the church. Shirley was blessed with nine children and was the custodian mother of two grandchildren that she raised in her home, Samantha Benjamin of Charleston and Tony Addison Jr. of Columbia.

She leaves to cherish precious memories: her children, Stephanie (Vette) Black of Sumter, Brenda (Jerry) Womble of Richmond, Virginia, Tony (Deborah) Leonard, Abe Black Jr. and Ray Leonard, all of Sumter, and Tyrone McBride of Richmond; two sisters, Dorothy (Julius) Ragin and Catherine Edwards of Charleston, West Virginia; four brothers, Ivan (Diane) Leonard of Franklin, Virginia, Marion Leonard and Vine Leonard of Sumter and Jounior Leonard of Stamford, Connecticut; 142 grandchildren; 97 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 39 2nd Ave., Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Friendship AME Church, 6156 Furse Road, Summerton, with the Rev. Albert L. Thompson, pastor, eulogist.

The remains will be placed in the church at noon.

The funeral procession will leave at 12:15 p.m. from the home.

Burial will be at Friendship AME Churchyard cemetery.

These services have been entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.