Joseph Thad "Joe" Black

Joseph Thad "Joe" Black age 71 of Norphlet, Ark. passed from this life on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at his home. Joe was born on Dec. 5, 1943, in El Dorado, Ark. to parents, Josephine Joyner Black and Jesse Thad Black. Joe graduated from Smackover High School, class of 1962, before attending the University of Arkansas where he earned his BSE degree in Education. He was also a member of the 1964 Razorback National Championship football team. After college, Joe taught and coached at numerous schools throughout Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas before coming back to south Arkansas. After returning to south Arkansas, Joe coached at Smackover High School and El Dorado High School, where he most recently coached the freshman football team. Joe truly loved what he did and felt as though it was his calling to coach and possibly influence the life of a young person. Joe was a member of First Baptist Church of Norphlet and was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Joe was preceded in death by his father, two brothers: Johnny Black and Jacky Black, and by one sister, Jeannie Black. Those left to cherish his memory include: his wife of 49 years, Jackie Jameson Black of Norphlet; two sons, Lee Black of Norphlet and Thad Black and his wife Lacy of Lindale, Texas; two grandchildren, Callie Black and Brennan Black both of Lindale; his mother, Josephine Black of El Dorado; three brothers, James Black (Debbie), Bill Black (Linda), and J.J. Black (Carole); three sisters, Jessie Butterfield, Ruby Newton (Jim), and Jan Black; sister in law, Barbara Black (Johnny); also numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Norphlet with Bro. Doug Wills and Bro. Jim Newton officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the church's fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joe T. Black Scholarship Fund at www.gofundme.com/jtblackscholarship. Cremation arrangements provided by Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado. An online guestbook is available at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.