George Vann Black

Charles City, VA

October 20,1932 - January 3, 2025

With his family by his side, George Vann Black, 92, passed away peacefully and in gentle care on January 3, 2025 after a short illness. His life was long and rich, and respected by many. As one dear friend expressed, he was an icon in the Charles City community.

George was born in Henrico County, VA, the fourth of five children of Howard and Jesse Black. They were a farming family, and settled in Charles City County, VA in 1934. George attended Charles City Schools and graduated high school in 1950. George and his brothers had three passions growing up: farming, hunting and playing baseball. George’s high school and post-high school teams obtained notoriety, and he was scouted for professional baseball, though not able to pursue it due to a childhood hand injury.

George continued farming as his livelihood, and when he married Annie Gertrude Banton in 1958, they continued farming on Historic Westover, settled there and made their life. He served on the Farm Service Agency County Committee and the Virginia Farm Bureau Grains Advisory Board. George remained active on the family farm until the age of 84 and loved every minute of it.

George (“Grasshopper”, also the name of his green truck) was an expert hunter, especially enjoying deer season as the founding member of the Herring Creek White Tail Hunt Club, and, of course, no turkey was ever safe. He also enjoyed several big game excursions for mule deer and caribou with dear friends. Even later in life, after health challenges arose, George still enjoyed the famous Saturday morning “Breakfast at the Hunt Club” and the ensuing debates on just about every topic. He also was known to just sit in the living room of his home and blow on turkey calls for way too long, much to the distress of whomever was around.

George was a man of faith and an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Charles City since childhood. His strong baritone voice was a special addition to the church choir as it is now in his heavenly choir.

George joined the Charles City Ruritans in 1952 at the age of 20. Again, his voice was dominant at club meetings as song leader when singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. Just recently, in November of 2024, he was presented with special recognition by the Ruritan National for 72 years of membership, the number two position in the country for years of service. He has a legacy of perfect attendance for most of those years.

George loved farms and farmland, and for many years he and his wife Annie would take a road trip in the summer and explore the land, agriculture, and all aspects of the country. They traveled to all contiguous states except New England and had great fun and great stories of what they saw and the people they met. George had an infectious smile, and one nephew expressed, “Almost all of my memories of Uncle George involve him laughing…one sign of a life well-lived.”

George is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Annie Banton Black, son George David Black (Sherry), daughter Charlotte Deanne (Dee) Black, grandsons of “Papa George” Jacob Ryan Black and Adam Logan Black, brother John Black, sisters-in-law Frances Hampton (William), Linda Mays (Harry), and Pauline Ankeney (John), many nieces and nephews, and a large circle of extended family and friends. George is predeceased by parents Howard and Jesse Black, brothers H.D. Black and Jim Black, and sister Linda Black Washburn.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 at Memorial United Methodist Church, 11000 Courthouse Rd, Charles City, VA. Arrangements are by Nelsen Funeral Home at Laburnum. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of these organizations (note on check In Memory of George Black):

Memorial United Methodist Church 11000 Courthouse Road, Charles City, VA 23030

OR

Charles City Ruritan Club c/o David Ledbetter 16530 The Glebe Lane Charles City, VA 23030. For tax exemption or other questions contact David Ledbetter at 804.387.2842.

The family would like to thank Theresa Fishburne for 18 months of loving care and friendship to George and the whole family, as well as Dr. David Jessee and Staff of VCU Medical Center, VCU Palliative Care Unit, and Charles City Fire and EMS Department.