Category: 1942

Side Mitchell Mack passed away in the peace of his own home on December 4, 2017, two months after Dolores, his beloved wife of nearly 66 years. They are, no doubt, reunited in glory.

Born the son of Lebanese immigrants on January 16, 1921, he followed assiduously in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in devoting his life to family, faith and community. Mitchell and Dolores were extraordinary parents and role models to their 5 children, and loving grandparents to their 11 grandkids.

He and Dolores stressed the importance of establishing in them a solid foundation built on faith in God, love of family, personal responsibility and service to the community.

Despite his sometimes frenzied life juggling long hours in the family business and his numerous civic undertakings, family was always first. Mitchell lived a life of integrity which left an indelible print on his progeny.

He was a quiet man of action who led by example. After attending Mooresville public schools, he attended Davidson College and then went on to earn an MBA in Industrial Engineering from Harvard. During his career at Harvard, he was called to serve his country in WW II. Rather than accept a deferment, Mitchell chose to serve in the Navy, and as a Lieutenant was stationed in North and West Africa from 1943-1946. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until 1956.

After the war, possessing degrees from Davidson and Harvard, Mitchell could have accepted any number of positions anywhere in the country, but once again he chose to serve. This time it was the family that called. As the youngest of 4 children, Mitchell was asked by his father to return to Mooresville to help in the family department store, John Mack & Son, established by his father and grandfather in 1912.

From 1947 until 1993, Mitchell put his talent and intellect to work transforming and growing the family business.

Back in Mooresville, Mitchell lost no time becoming deeply involved in the civic, charitable and religious fabric of his hometown. He was, simply put, an outstanding citizen. He joined, and eventually led, the Rotary Club, serving in virtually every capacity on his way to perfect weekly attendance for over 65 years and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.

He resumed his active involvement in Boy Scouts, from which he had earned his Eagle award at age 15, by becoming a Scoutmaster, District Chairman, Piedmont Council Executive Board member and Silver Beaver award recipient. He would accumulate over 70 years of continuous involvement in Scouting.

As a member of the First Presbyterian Church he faithfully served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and Elder, as well as in the choir for more than 70 years.

His capacity for and love of service was nearly limitless. He served as President of the local Chamber of Commerce, United Fund, Merchant’s Association and Jaycees. He also served in various leadership roles with Lowrance Hospital, Piedmont Bank, YMCA, the Downtown Commission and too many other organizations to mention. Upon closing the family business in 1993 after 84 years of operation in downtown Mooresville, Mitchell served several terms on the Mooresville Town Board, including as Mayor Pro Tem.

He has been recognized widely for his contributions to the community. Among other acknowledgments, in 1986, he was presented the Outstanding Citizen Award by the Chamber of Commerce; and in 2005 he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest honor for exemplary service and exceptional accomplishment.

S. Mitchell Mack truly lived a life of meaning, consequence and purpose, and unquestionably left the world a better place than he found it. God blessed him with many gifts, and Mitchell used them to the fullest to better himself, his children and his community. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was the very way he lived his life and the standard he set for all to see.

He is survived by five children: Side Mitchell Mack, Jr. of Greensboro NC, Ronald (Kathryn) Mack of Greensboro NC, Denise (Skip) Vallee of Shelburne VT, Yvonne (Maurice Williams) of Blowing Rock NC, Jeffrey (Anya) Mack of Charlotte NC and eleven wonderful grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville on Saturday December 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Interment will immediately follow at Willow Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Cavin Cook Funeral Home on Friday December 8, from 5:00-8:00 PM.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the caregivers of Home Instead, Bayada, numerous private caregivers and Hospice of Iredell County, and to give special thanks to Patty Martin and Ashlee Vineyard. Their wonderful care kept Mitchell comfortable in his final years at home.

Memorials may be sent to The Boy Scouts of America, Piedmont Council or The Rotary Foundation c/o The Mooresville Rotary Club or Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Mack family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Published in The Courier-Journal on Aug. 27, 2017

James Hampton Black, Sr., age 97, a descendant of John Morrison, a Revolutionary War Soldier and lifelong resident of Mint Hill, North Carolina, passed away on May 5, 2017.

Like his forbearer, Mr. Black was a true patriot, always honoring and respecting his country and state, volunteering for the US Army Air Corps, serving with the 15th Air Force in Italy in World War II, chairing the Mecklenburg County Selective Service (Draft) Board during the Vietnam War, and continuing on various veterans commissions until his late 80’s.

Mr. Black was born on July 5, 1919 in Mecklenburg County, the youngest child of Clinton Montgomery and Annie Wallace Black. His parents and his brother, Clinton Montgomery Black, Jr, preceded him in death. Mr. Black graduated from Bain High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Davidson College in 1942. He retired as President of Central Piedmont Realty Company.

Mr. Black helped found VFW Post 4059 in Mint Hill and later supervised construction of the Post home. He was elected Post Commander, District Commander, State Commander, and later National Council Member. The VFW appointed him for over twenty years to present the concerns of veterans to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives at the VFW Annual Washington Conference.

He worked with many U.S. Congressmen and Senators from North Carolina, who sought his informed opinion on veterans’ issues pending before Congress.

He endowed a scholarship to honor the winners of the annual VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Governor Jim Hunt appointed Mr. Black to the State Veterans Affairs Commission, where he was instrumental in developing the Veterans Home in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

In the 1960’s Mr. Black chaired the Bain School Board. He grew up in the historic Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon, Elder and Elder Emeritus. He was Treasurer of the Church for over a decade, devised a plan to sell church bonds in order to build a new sanctuary, and chaired the Finance Committee that made the sanctuary a reality.

Mr. Black was a 50-year member of the Masonic Order, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Oasis Temples of the Shrine.

He was a Past Master of both the Mint Hill (founder) and Mathews Masonic Lodges. In 1984, he helped co-found the Mint Hill Historical Society and served as a Trustee until age 89. He urged the Board to purchase the house and lot for what became the extraordinary Carl J. McEwen Historical Village.

He was also instrumental in locating a County Hot Meals Program at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, and “Mr. Jim” served meals nearly every day for over a decade.

In 2005, the Governor of North Carolina awarded Mr. Black the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the State of North Carolina.

Mr. Black was predeceased by his wife of more than 40 years, the late Beulah (“Boots”) Howell Black. He is survived by his children, James Hampton Black, Jr. and his wife, Dr. Marilyn Shull Black, of Atlanta, and by his daughter, Nancy Black Norelli and her husband, Ronald Allen Norelli, of Charlotte; grandchildren Krystl Lydie Black Eldridge, and her husband, Gerald Austin Eldridge, of Atlanta, Kelly Black-Holmes of Atlanta, Dr. James Clinton Black and his wife, Catherine Bass Black, of Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Margaux Elisabeth Black Gray and her husband, Thomas Cary Gray, of Redwood City, California, Jonathan Andrew Norelli and his wife, Lauren Hawley Norelli, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Margaret Howell Norelli Sanchez and her husband Miguel Andres Sanchez, of Houston, Texas, and Lee Elizabeth Norelli Pedersen and her husband Eric Carlson Pedersen of Charlotte, and ten great grandchildren.

Mr. Black proudly carried the Bain Cane as his father had over fifty years ago, as the oldest man in the Church.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 7, at 3:00 p.m., at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill, with interment following in the family plot at the Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, the Mint Hill Historical Society or charity of donor’s choice.

Ellington Funeral Services, 727 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC. Family owned since 1944.

Published in Charlotte Observer from May 6 to May 14, 2017.