GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2019
RATIFIED BILL
RESOLUTION 2020-3
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1065
A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of MaryAnn Black, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, MaryAnn Black was born on October 3, 1943, in Manhattan, New York, to the late Reverend Dr. Solomon Eaddy, Sr., and Susanna Law Eaddy; and
Whereas, at a young age, MaryAnn Black's family moved to Florence, South Carolina, where she was educated in the Florence Public School System and graduated from Wilson High School; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black received a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, and later earned a master's degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, after college, MaryAnn Black moved to Durham, North Carolina, where she worked for over 30 years as a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy services to children and their families. She went on to serve as Associate Vice President for Community Relations for the Duke University Health System; and
Whereas, MaryAnn was a leader in the civic affairs of her community, serving as president of the Durham Downtown Rotary and the first female chair of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce Board. She was also a member of the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission and Durham Technical Community College's Board of Trustees; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners from 1990 to 2002, serving as chair from 1996 to 2002; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black was appointed to the General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives in 2017, where she served the citizens of District 29 with honor and distinction until 2020. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she served on several committees, including Aging; Appropriations, Health and Human Services; Health; and House Select Committee on School Safety; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black received numerous awards and recognitions, including "Social Worker of the Year" by the State of North Carolina and the National Association of Social Workers in 1994; Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce Circle of Influence Diversity Award in 2005; Women‑In‑Action Elna B. Spaulding Founder's Award; Triangle Business Journal Top 25 Outstanding Women in Business in 2005; and Woman of the Year Award for 2020 from the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black was also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black was respected and admired by all of those who knew her and had the privilege to work with her; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black passed away on March 25, 2020, at the age of 76; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black was preceded in death by her father; a son, James "Christopher" Black; and a brother, Frederick Eaddy; and
Whereas, MaryAnn Black is survived by a son, Jonathon C. Black; grandson, Jordan Black; mother, Susanna Eaddy; brother, Solomon Eaddy, Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Faye E. Brooks; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly honors the memory of MaryAnn Black and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for her life and service to the people of her community and North Carolina.
SECTION 2. The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of MaryAnn Black for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of MaryAnn Black.
SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 23rd day of June, 2020.
s/ Philip E. Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives