Johnson City resident celebrates 100th birthday, reflects on a century of life
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A local woman celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday by reminiscing on all her life’s endeavors, which include meeting the love of her life, piloting planes during World War II and photographing royalty.
Carmen Deel Black was born on January 30, 1924, on a farm in Virginia. She had five brothers and four sisters. Once she graduated high school, Black got a scholarship to the College of William and Mary but turned it down to be with her family in Detroit, as she had two brothers serving in the military at that time. Black said she felt her family needed her more in that moment.
Road work to impact traffic on State Route 353 in Jonesborough through June
Black got a job at a DeSoto car manufacturer as a private executive secretary in Detroit but said she felt an urge to serve her country as World War II consumed the globe. She said she saw an ad for flying lessons one day and decided to save her money for that.
“I thought I was better off if I went and took flying lessons, and help with the war effort than it would be to start college right away because I [can] always pick up on my college,” she said.
Black learned how to fly and worked for two years with Desoto cars, as it transitioned from automotive to defense production during the war. She flew to California and Virginia to deliver cargo, with a special focus on Virginia Beach.
Black eventually lost all five of her brothers to the war, but she told staff at her Johnson City senior residence, The Waters, that she was thankful to carry their service on by flying supplies to aid the cause.
Once the war ended and her cousin returned home, he introduced her to his friend and foxhole partner Donald Black. The man would soon become her husband in 1946.
Black said they didn’t let arguments get in the way of their love.
“Our love, that had cared for each other all those years, was far, far more important than a stupid little, say where he thought this was right, I thought that was right. It wasn’t important.”
Black said she and her husband were married for 72 years and had a full life. They had four children and traveled the world. Her husband Donald was honored for his service at the French Embassy in 2009, which she mentioned as a highlight of their travels.
“I flew for about a couple of years, and after that, I purchased a portrait studio and started taking portraits of people. We photographed the Queen from India. She had all that silks and so forth on, and had a diamond necklace on that you wouldn’t believe.”
Input sought on future of Buffalo Mountain Park in Johnson City
Black said her husband passed away in 2019 and she misses him each day. She still has three of her four children living and The Waters said she loves to socialize with her neighbors and family, and that they’re honored to have her as a resident.
“I just thank God that he granted me that much time,” she said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
