Dr. Charlene Elizabeth Rushton Black, 77, daughter of Archie Sime Rushton and Elizabeth Jane Johnson Rushton, entered eternal life on August 8, 2019.
She is survived by her two sons, Joseph Barclay Black and his wife, Donna Marie Carnley Black, of Statesboro, Georgia; and William Rushton Black of Nevils, Georgia; three grandchildren, Catherine Elizabeth, Finnegan Barclay and Rosa Mae Jane; and brother William Barclay Rushton and his wife, Miriam, of Gainesville, Georgia; along with nephew Robert Matthew Rushton and niece Miriam Elizabeth Rushton Conto.
She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Archie Rushton.
Charlene Elizabeth Rushton Black was born in Brunswick, Georgia, on July 8, 1942. Dr. Black earned an AB degree magna cum laude and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in sociology from Vanderbilt University. She was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Xi, Mortar Board, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa.
She spent most of her career at Georgia Southern University as a professor of sociology, dean of the graduate school, dean of undergraduate studies and associate vice president of academic affairs. While at Georgia Southern, she helped chair the committee and prepare the grant that created the Center for Wildlife Education. She completed her career as the dean of academics at Young Harris College.
She was blessed to share her faith as president of the Statesboro District and South Georgia Conference United Methodist Women, and the Conference Methodist Student Movement. She served as lay leader and director of the Women's Division of the General Board of Women's Ministries. She led the delegation of four General Conferences for the UMC. She served as an observer of mission work for the Methodist Church in many U.S. institutions and in the Philippines, Brazil, Costa Rica, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland and South Africa.
Dr. Black lead Bible studies for many years at Statesboro First United Methodist Church. She taught at least one mission study for the UMC every year for over 15 years.
In 2015, Dr. Black authored "God Had a Plan, Even for a Little Girl from Dexter."
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, August 10th, from 5–7 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
The funeral will be held at Statesboro First United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 11th, with the Rev. Jimmy Cason officiating, assisted by the Rev. Stephanie Smith. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Payne's Chapel UMC in Jenkins County.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Rushton, Matthew Conto, MH Robbins IV, Chris Burke, Robert Meguiar and David Cole.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to United Methodist Women's Mission Giving, South Georgia Conference UMW, c/o South Georgia Conference of the UMC, P.O. Box 13145, Macon, GA 31208-3145.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, August 11, 2019
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.