Nita Buell Black

Buell-Black, Nita Ann, 76, of Knoxville went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 27, 2014. Nita was born in Harlan, Kentucky, on May 26, 1937. She was a graduate of The University of Tennessee (B.A.) and Union College, Barbourville, Kentucky (M.S.). Nita was a veteran teacher in Knox County for 52 years serving at Pleasant Ridge Elementary (2 yrs.), Brickey-McCloud (7 yrs.), Heiskel Elementary (5 yrs.), Powell High School (35 yrs.), and Grace Christian Academy (3 yrs.). She served as head senior sponsor at PHS for 30 years, and upon her retirement, the faculty named the high school auditorium “Nita Buell-Black Auditorium” in her honor. Nita was a lifelong member of Sharon Baptist Church where she served as a longtime Sunday School teacher, Stewardship Committee for Mother’s Day Out, and numerous other committees. She was President of Powell High Alumni Association, member of Powell Business & Professional Association, and Founder and Director of Powell Playhouse. Nita was honored as Powell Woman of the Year by PBPA. She was a member of Knox County Teachers’ Chorus, TEA Retirement Committee, and Knox County Public Library Advisory Board, and a KCEA officer. Nita was happiest when she was directing a play, teaching her students, and helping others. The Lord, her family, friends, and students were always at the center of her life.Nita was preceded in death by her loving parents, Olin W. and Meribah Mason Buell.Nita is survived by her husband, James (Jim) Black, brothers and sisters-in-law, Jo and Elizabeth Wendelkin, J.B. and Sue Watson, Kelly and Jeanne Black, Bill and Barbara Black, Tommy Black, and Charles Black; step son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Gene and Kay Shelton (Dottie Kay Griggs, Buck Bateman, and seven great grandchildren); cousins, John J. and Susan Buell, Phyllis Hazelwood, Ruth Holland, A.T. Mink, Bea Boyette, J.B. Buell, Virginia Ann Ray. Nita leaves a host of loving friends, teaching friends, church friends, Powell Playhouse friends, and many students whom she loved as her children, Rhea Smith, whom she loved like a brother, faithful friends Mona Napier and Janice Wood who stood beside her during her illness, and Stacy Stooksbury, her beloved hairdresser for 20 years.A worship service and celebration of Nita’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Sharon Baptist Church, 7916 Pedigo Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, with Reverend Dennis Blazier, Reverend Mark McCoig, and Student Minister Nick Cancemi officiating. Receiving of friends will be at the church from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. prior to the service on March 2, 2014. Burial will be at Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2014 with Reverend Jim Robertson officiating. Pallbearers include Rhea Smith, Brian Wood, Josh Crutchfield, Bob Longmire, Harold Wayne Baker, and Billy Staggs; honorary pallbearers include Adult 7 Men and Jim’s Sunday School Class. Memorial donations may be given to Sharon Baptist Church, 7916 Pedigo Road, Knoxville, TN 37938. The family of Nita Buell wishes to thank the staff of Tennova Residential Hospice for their loving care. Funeral arrangements by Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel.