A. Ray Black
(June 17, 1918 - January 22, 2012)

A. Ray Black, 93, of Cincinnati, Ohio formerly of Huntington, died Sunday, January 22, 2012 in Cincinnati. He was born June 17, 1918 at Graysville, Tenn. a son of the late John Calvin and Effie Mae Shipley Black. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jean Nenni Black, two sisters and two brothers. Ray was a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and was a WW II Veteran serving as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps 3rd Division. He was a retired Funeral Director and former owner of Steele-Black Funeral Home in Huntington. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 9738, Knights of Columbus Council #963, Past President of the WV Funeral Directors Association, Past President of the Huntington Lions Club and B.P.O. Elks 313. Ray resided at Cottingham Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio since 1998 where he served as the President of the Residence Counsel for many years. Cottingham was also where Ray began his love of Poetry, both writing and reciting to his friends and family. Many of his themes centered around God, Family and Country. He is survived by two sons and a daughter, James A. (Lisa) Black of Kennesaw, Ga., Robert A. (Julia) Black of Portsmouth, Ohio and Margaret S."Peggy" (Ron) Myers of Cincinnati, Ohio; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral Liturgy will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church by Monsignor Lawrence Luciana, Celebrant. Interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Huntington or the St. Joseph Grade School Building Fund.