HelenWarden “Sis” Black passed away peacefully with family members at herside on April 4, 2013 in Annapolis, Md. She was 89 years old. She wasborn in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Dec. 18, 1923, the daughter of the lateDavid Royal and Hazel Ramage Warden. She was raised in Bluefield, W.Va., and graduated from Beaver High School, where she was an excellentacademic student, class leader, and athlete. During this time sheattained the title of the National Drum Majorette Champion in Chicagofor the Bluefield Drum and Bugle Corps, where they won first place atthe American Legion National Convention.
Upongraduation, Sis attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va.,and the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., until 1943. She thenentered the Army Air Corps to “help win the war.” Her initialassignment as an aerial photographer was to Stewart Field, N.Y. Aftermarriage to her childhood sweetheart, Joseph Sanders Black, in April1944, she was reassigned to Victoria, Tex., as a link trainer.
Afterthe war, Sis obtained her degree in education from the University ofVirginia in May of 1948. During her marriage she resided in Mullins,W.Va.; Waynesboro, Va.; Camden, S.C.; Ashland, Ky.; Chester, Va., andVirginia Beach. Many wonderful years were spent in teaching withher later years spent in special education. During this time Sis’sathleticism and enthusiasm lead to coaching successful basketball andswimming teams.
Aboveall, Sis’s devotion to her family was her main priority in life. Torear children that were good Christians and Americans was her mainobjective. Time with family at her beach cottage in Buxton was heavenlyto her.
Shewas predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph Sanders, on May 17, 2002and her brother, Stacey Blair Warden. Sis is survived by four devotedchildren: David (Louise), Bethea, Montine (Bert), and Sandy (Rhonda);12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dr. David RoyalWarden, and two sisters, Marion Warden Loesch and Susan Warden Neal.
Throughouther life, Sis had a close affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. Shewas also a loyal member of the Fairbanks Family Association.
Amemorial service will be held on June 8 at 11a.m. with family andfriends in Bluefield, W.Va. at the Christ Episcopal Church with thecommittal in the Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, contributions canbe made to the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 639, Buxton, N.C. 27920. The family would like to express its deepgratitude to all of the nursing staff for their loving care andcompassion.
