Georgeanna H. Black's Obituary
Georgeanna Harlin, first child of George Washington Harlin and Pauline Harrison Harlin, was born on June 12, 1929, in Brown, OK. Her family heritage included determined pioneers from Mississippi and resilient Native Americans of Chickasaw, Choctaw and Cherokee tribes who lived in Southeast Oklahoma as farmers, ranchers, merchants, and postmasters. Growing up, she and her family lived near relatives in and around Silo, Durant, and Cobb, OK. While attending Cobb Schools from second grade through high school, she excelled in academic and extracurricular activities. Besides basketball, choir, and FHA, she was an editor of the school newspaper and an outstanding debater. Along with numerous other debate awards, she and her teammate won First Place State Title at the Oklahoma High School League Tournament. Georgeanna was also selected Homecoming Queen of Cobb School and was honored as All-Around-Senior-Girl.
After graduating in 1947, she attended Southeastern State College in Durant before her marriage in 1948 to Wayne Black, her best friend and classmate since second grade. After living in Borger and Denton, TX, they settled in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas in1955, where they raised their four children. After 45 years there, they moved to Carrollton, TX where they lived for 23 years, and then to Midtowne Assisted Living in Midlothian, TX. Georgeanna and Wayne celebrated their 75th anniversary before his death in 2023. In 2025, Georgeanna was lovingly cared for by daughter Candy and granddaughter Taylor in their Midlothian home before returning to assisted living and passing away on May 19, 2026.
As a wife and mother, she embodied Romans 12:8 by “contributing to the needs” of her family and “giving generously” to them. With her energetic personality, she enriched her children’s lives by participating in school, church and PTA events, becoming a Cub Scout Den Mother, and taking them to Dallas libraries, parks, and museums. As a family, she and Wayne enthusiastically attended many sports events and programs involving their children. They also faithfully attended Westmoreland Heights Baptist Church where she was in WMU, taught Sunday School, and was a summer camp counselor. Throughout her life she was an example of Christian
faith, praying always for her children and grandchildren. Later in life, she and Wayne enjoyed attending Northside Baptist Church in Carrollton and developing beloved friendships there. She loved gathering family to her home for holidays and parties, and her hospitality extended to friends who loved their “coffee time” with goodies and conversation around her beautifully set table.
When her children were older, she confidently began another career first as pastor’s secretary of her church and then as principal’s secretary at Dallas Winnetka Elementary and Lida Hooe Elementary schools. She received her Texas Paraprofessional Certificate in 1980 and continued to hone her skills with computer, typing, Spanish and professional classes at Richland and Mountain View colleges. In her 21-year career at DISD, she was president of the Dallas Educational Secretaries Assn, a member of both the Texas and National Educational Assns., and served on the Advising Council of the National Credentials Committee in 1985. She loved traveling to numerous state and national secretarial conventions before retiring in 1995. As a community member, she served as an elected Democrat Party Chairman of Precinct 428 in Oak Cliff from 1976 to 1980.
Georgeanna loved being with her family from Oklahoma and Houston on special occasions, including family and community reunions. They also enjoyed trips together across the South and from Niagara Falls, New England, and the East Coast to London and Amsterdam. They shared a love of antiques and crafts, shopping at every yard sale, antique store and flea market. As a collector, she displayed her collections of tea cups, roosters, quilts, and dishes. As a lover of fabrics and fashion, she always wore stylish outfits and accessories from her collections of hats, gloves, scarves and handkerchiefs.
This love of beautiful and useful things found expression in her own creative and artistic practice. As an exceptional seamstress, she sewed many clothes for herself and daughters and created beautifully embroidered jackets, coats, vests and purses. As a crafter and decorator, she adorned her home with handmade embroidered table runners, pillows, wall hangings, and mosaic tile furnishings. As a team, Wayne and “George”
expertly upholstered many chairs and couches and refinished old furniture. Finally, as a talented artist, she painted many beautiful landscapes, still lifes, and portraits using oils and pastels. She lovingly shared all her creations with her delighted children and grandchildren who will always cherish her memory and celebrate the remarkable legacy of her 96 years.
Along with being a devoted wife to Wayne, Georgeanna was a beloved mother to Stanley Black (Darlene) of Hot Springs Village, AR, Janis Carloy of Carrollton, TX, Candy Marshall (Mike) of Midlothian, TX and Lyndon Black (Megan) of Flower Mound, TX; an adored grandmother to Wendy Black, Glen Sipe (Sandy), Chris Carloy (Sierra), Elliott Marshall (Krysta), Taylor Marshall Allen (Shaun), Katy Black Golden (Cody), Patrick Black (Sydney) and Amanda Black (Kane); a much loved great-grandmother to Alexandra Esseln (Zach), Nicole Black, Finnley Golden and Kolter Golden and great-great-grandmother to Beckham Esseln and Everett Esseln.
She is survived by sisters Kathryn Melson of Houston, TX and Betty Bowen of Durant, OK, sisters-in-law Sue Harlin of Durant, OK and Patsy Black of Rockwall, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by husband Wayne, daughter-in-law Darlene Black, parents George and Pauline Harlin, brother J.D. Harlin, sister Carol Jackson, parents-in-law Ruedolph and Irene Black, sisters-in-law Joyce Harlin, Nell Jones and Irene Black, brothers-in-law Al Melson, A.L. Bowen, Joe Purkins, Ray Jackson, Gene Black, Eldon Jones and Ray Black.
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