Dr. Moses Black

Dr. Moses Black, 84, of Osceola, Ark., died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Born Nov. 30, 1940, in Earle, Ark., he accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 13 at Mt. Harmon Missionary Baptist Church. At age 14, he became chief usher of the Usher Board. At the young age of 15, Moses was crowned deacon. Moses attended Dumbar School in Earle, then moved to Osceola at age 16. He then joined Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church. He was also the superintendent of Sunday School, a choir director, and director of Baptist Training Union. Moses graduated from Rosenwald High School in 1962. He confessed his calling into the ministry in May of 1964. Moses preached his first sermon in May of 1964 at Pleasant Grove M.B. Church. His second sermon was preached that fifth Sunday at First Baptist M.B. Church in Wynne, Ark.

On Sept. 26, 1965, he was united in holy matrimony to Bessie Webb. In January 1965, he became pastor of St. James M.B. Church in Wynne; three months later he became pastor of Mt. Omie as well, where he pastored those two churches for four years. He left Mt. Omie and started pastoring at New Galilee Church in Burdette, Ark. After nine years with St. James of Wynne, Moses left and went to Pastor at Mt. Carmel M.B. Church in Caruthersville, Mo. He also pastored in Blytheville, Ark. at New Bethel M.B. Church. He left Mt. Carmel and started pastoring at Pleasant Grove M.B. in Osceola. He later organized New Light and then went on to pastor in Parkin at Shady Grove. Moses spent his last years pastoring full time at Bethlehem M.B. Church in Osceola. He was also a funeral director for Wilson Funeral Home for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Estella Black; three sisters, Mariah Black, Sarah Davis, and Estella Palmer; three brothers, Solmon Black, Walter Black, and Arthur Black; and three daughters, Shanell Brown, Shiron Smith and Stephanie Black.

He is survived by his wife, Bessie Black; two sons, Joshua Black (Sonya), of Marion, Ark., and Terrance Malone, of Tulsa, Okla.; five daughters, Pamela Scott (Joe), of Marion, Cynthia Houston (Marcus) and Valerie Jefferson (Tony), all of Osceola, Tasha Diamond (Jesse), of North Little Rock, and Tina Jennings (Shiron), of Atlanta, Ga.; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Bethlehem M.B. Church, 325 W. Bard Ave., Osceola.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Whiteside Cemetery.

Wilson Funeral Home in Osceola is in charge of arrangements.