Longtime Office of Communications and Marketing staff member Barbara Black passes away

Published: July 31, 2023

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Barbara Black, a beloved member of the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) at Auburn University for 35 years, passed away on July 21. She was 66.

Known affectionately as “Captain” by her co-workers, Black performed a multitude of duties during her tenure at OCM. She helped shepherd the department through several evolutions, reorganizations and considerable progress in her time on the Plains, and Black was a dedicated Auburn employee who served under seven different university presidents.

The Tallassee, Alabama, native loved traveling with her husband of 37 years, Terry Black, and cruising on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Black had a special place in her heart for Charleston, South Carolina, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and had treasured memories of watching the bison at Yellowstone National Park. She loved gardening, spending time with her children and grandchildren, her dog, enjoyed attending rock concerts and collecting vintage clocks.

Black shared a “Thought of the Day” with co-workers each morning. The final one she sent, on July 5, said, “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.”

Black was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Myra Law, and brother, Harold Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Terry Black; stepmother, Myra Law; children, Stacey Black and Valerie Black; sister, Jan Duff; brother, Les Johnson; grandchildren, Alexandria Kennedy, Cheyenne Smith and Carlena and Kierslyn Arms; many nieces and nephews; and her best friend, Carmen.

She is interred at Carrville Cemetery, and friends and family held a visitation in her honor at Linville Memorial Funeral Home on July 27. Online condolences may be posted at www.linvillememorial.com.

Barbara Black

Barbara Black was a beloved member of the Auburn University Office of Communications and Marketing for 35 years.