Zilpha Caven Black, beloved mother, friend, volunteer, educator, and avid traveler passed away at the age of 84 on November 19, 2021, in her home in Waynesville, North Carolina surrounded by members of her family.
Zilpha was a collector of friends who eventually turned into her “chosen family”. She travelled extensively with these family members across Europe and lived in Malvies, France for seven years before settling in the Maggie Valley-Waynesville area.
She was an energetic volunteer at the Haywood County Public Library for over 15 years and simultaneously helped countless children build their confidence in reading. She inspired hundreds of children to discover the magical world of books. Her chosen grandchildren credit their early and continued love of reading to Zilpha. Zilpha was a teacher with the Corpus Christi Independent School District and St. James Episcopal School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Zilpha earned her Bachelor of Arts from Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville, Texas (1959) and a Master of Science from Texas A & I University in Corpus Christi, Texas (1975).
For the past ten years, Zilpha has been a regular bridge player at the Haywood Senior Resource Center where she thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and some great bridge games.
Zilpha Caven Black was born May 29, 1937, in Long Beach, California to the late Agnes Dixon Caven and RADM Selman Stewart Bowling. She was also preceded in death by her son Stewart Wendell Black.
In honor of her memory and in lieu of a memorial service or flowers, Zilpha requests that her friends devote time and energy to making a difference in someone’s life.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com .
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18