Marilyn J. Black

Marilyn J. Black, age 89, was born May 26, 1931 in Harriman, TN. She passed away
Saturday, October 24, 2020. Marilyn had been a resident of Jamestowne Assisted
Living in Kingston, TN for the past nine years where she was loved and well cared for.
Thank you Jamestowne.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents C.R. and Winifred Willoughby Black of
Harriman, sister Patricia LeGrand and brother Lt. Col. Doug Black USMC/Ret. She is
survived by her first cousin Charles B. Black (Gail) of Lilburn, GA, sister-in-law Janice
Black of Harriman, niece Jane LeGrand Ghant (Gordon) of Charlotte, NC, nephews
Charles A. LeGrand II, of Graham, NC, Brian D. Black, (Katherine) of Hendersonville,
NC, Todd R. Black, (Julie) of Dover, NH and several great and grand nieces and
nephews.

Marilyn Black left quite a legacy to her family and friends, and I know of no one who
ever spoke unkindly of her. At age 5 she was stricken with polio and was unable to
walk without the aid of crutches and leg braces. However, this was never an obstacle
as her parents always encouraged her in any endeavor. She became an avid reader
and pianist.

She spent two years at Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm
Springs, GA. She graduated with the class of 1949 at Harriman High School and from
Tennessee Tech in 1953, where she was elected “Tech Sweetheart” and listed in Who’s
Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

After college she worked for a short period at the Harriman Hospital in the office.
However, at age 23 she became interested in stretching herself and decided to run for
Register of Deeds for Roane County receiving the largest number of votes ever cast in
Roane Co. for a candidate. During this time she also got her driver’s license, bought a
car and drove with the help of hand controls. Marilyn retired in 1972 after 18 years as
Register of Deeds, having accomplished what she felt necessary in the Register’s
Office: modernizing the copying process (photostat machine and later copying
machine) and the monumental task of establishing a reindexing system of deeds from
1801 forward.

In 1972 she decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology. After
receiving her master’s, she became a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the state
of Tennessee, setting a larger than life example to those she counseled. Marilyn was a
member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Historic Harriman
Drama Club established in 1912. She traveled widely never giving any thought to her
“handicap” nor did anyone else. She loved the opera and symphony and her church.
She was a long time active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Harriman,
serving on the vestry, as the church treasurer and in any other capacity when called
upon.

Funeral service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Harriman, TN on
Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Because of concerns due to Covid-19 and
the 50 person limit, only the immediate family and church family will be in attendance.
If you would like to make a donation in Marilyn’s memory, please do so to St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church, 190 Circle Dr., Harriman, TN 37748.

Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston in charge of all the arrangements.

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