James Lyle Black

James Lyle Black, 91, of Hamlin, WV passed from this life on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Hospice House in Huntington, WV. He was born on August 7, 1921 in Hamlin, WV to the late Hal and Catharine Dyer Black.
He was married 65 years to Mary Audra Madden Black, whom he loved, cherished and cared for until her death this past summer. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and two of his siblings, Edwin (Virginia) Black and Charlotte (Paul) Curry.
He graduated from Hamlin High School in 1940 and attended Marshall University from 1940 to 1942 playing football for the Thundering Herd. In 1942, Lyle joined the US Marine Corp and was called to active duty in 1943. He completed officer’s training and stationed in Guam until WWII was over. At that time Lyle returned to the states and became a reservist, being recalled to active duty in the Korean War. He was in the USMC for 10 years. He served 3 years in WWII and 17 months in the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Hamlin where he and Audra started their own business, Lyle Black Construction Company.
Lyle and Audra spent the last 30 years of their life enjoying retirement alternating their home between Naples, Florida, Myrtle Beach, SC and Hamlin, WV. During retirement Lyle loved to play golf and was an avid reader. He was blessed with good physical health in his later years and good friends. He and Audra were lifelong members of Trinity United Methodist Church of Hamlin.
Lyle is survived by his two children, son, Rodney(Vicki) Haney of Charleston, WV and a daughter, Cherrie Black of Cherry Hill, NJ; three grandchildren, Andrew Haney, Christopher Connery and Fiona Connery; a sister, Rose (Charles) Elkins of Hamlin; a niece, Paula (David) Burch also of Hamlin and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hamlin, with the Rev. Warren Dove, Pastor David Burch and Bill Elkins officiating. Burial will follow with military graveside rites in Lincoln Memorial Park, Hamlin.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 10th. at Handley Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV.
Lyle and Audra were cared for the last years of their life by their son, Rodney Haney.
The family wishes to thank those who assisted in their care, Naomi Smith, Mabel Morgan, Connie Reynolds, Julia Purdy, and Tammy Chambers for their tender loving care of Lyle and Audra during their final days.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, charitable donations be made in his name to Trinity United Methodist Church, Court Avenue and Market Street, Hamlin, WV 25523, or Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Handley Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV.