Dorothy Gail Black

Today, four grandchildren gathered to write an obituary for the best woman who ever lived. After many attempts to do their Mamaw justice they decided that it is impossible to describe all the love, grace and beauty that made her who she was. How can you capture a life so well lived using such lacking descriptions? Words simply are inadequate. If you knew Gail, you’ll know exactly what they mean.

The queen of our family transitioned to her heavenly home on September 14, 2025. Dorothy Gail Black was born on February 7, 1935 to Edd Cardin and Tressie McGinty Cardin. The oldest girl of eight siblings, she helped to raise her younger brothers and sisters until she married Faber Black in 1950. She began her matriarchal reign with her two children, Debra and Paul, who both expanded her dynasty, adding four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews–and others who adopted her as their own–just as much as if they were hers. She was the people’s queen. Known to open her door to anyone who needed shelter or food, she hosted countless family and friends for as long as they needed to stay.

Gail ruled with a servant's heart. Her faith in Christ, her family, and her church were what mattered most to her. Her relationship with Jesus was unshakable through every trial and hardship. Her mind was made up that God was her rock and she leaned on Him daily. She loved her family deeply and served them so well. She rocked their sick babies, folded their laundry and cooked their meals, without them even knowing it might have been less than convenient for her. One of her greatest joys was serving her church family at the Greenbrier Church of the Nazarene. She taught various Sunday School classes, baked countless casseroles, and enjoyed every moment with her brothers and sisters in Christ. Her kingdom will not be remembered for the gold and silver she possessed, but rather the abundance of love she shared. Now, it is our honor to carry on her reign of love.

She is reunited in Heaven with Faber Black, her husband of 33 years. She is also joining her mother and father, Edd and Tressie Cardin; her beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law, Homer and Glady Black; her brothers Don, Wilkie, and Louis; her sisters, Emma and Ella; and her son-in-law, Richard Snuggs.

Waiting to join her are her son Paul and wife Jackie, her daughter Debra, granddaughter Alicia and husband Kevin, granddaughter Kristy and husband Jake, grandson Josh, grandson Caleb and wife Anna, sisters Nona and May Dean, eleven great-grandchildren: Gavin (Samantha), Karson (Abbey), Sophie, Grady, Sylvie, Paxton, Easton, Silas, Sawyer, Avery, and Flynn, and a host of friends and extended family.

She will lie in state at the Greenbrier Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the church, with a service on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. also at the church.