Shirley June Black, 89, of Sweet Home, Oregon—recently of Albany—passed away Sunday, April 18, 2021. She was born in Colton, California to Byron William Mabee, Sr. and Nyla Ruth (Long) Mabee. She is survived by her husband, Jim; sons Stanley and Richard; daughter Thema; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Born in Colton, California, Shirley lived her early years in Bloomington, California, where she attended grade school. Following WWII, Shirley moved with her parents to Sweet Home in 1946, and graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1949, after which she attended Pacific Bible College (now Warner Pacific University) in Portland. There, she met her future husband, James (Jim) Black.

The couple married on February 24, 1951 in Lebanon and recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. After marrying, the couple resided a short while in Portland, where Shirley worked at Premier Insurance. Returning to Sweet Home in 1951, Shirley worked at Bradley Bookkeeping, and later at Sweet Home High School, where she retired as Head Cook after more than 20 years.

Shirley was a talented musician and vocalist, serving as church pianist and organist for over 50 years. She served her community as, among other things, an officer in the Oregon School Food Service Association, local and state P.T.A.’s, Cub Scout leader, 4-H leader, Sheep Superintendent at Linn County Fair, Linn County Planning Advisory Committee, and volunteer at the Hope Center.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, classical music, operas, and travel. She traveled across the US, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Canada with her husband, Jim.

The memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.