Obituary for Mrs. Phyllis J. Varn Black FORT MEADE – Phyllis Jerome Varn Black (P.J.), 71 of Ft. Meade, Florida, passed away on October 12, 2018 surrounded by her family. Phyllis, known to most as P.J., was born in Bartow, Florida to David Hugh Varn, Jr. M.D. and Ruth McEntee Varn on August 11, 1947.
She graduated from Fort Meade High School class of 1965, where she met the love of her life, Norman Larry Black, Sr, D.V.M., known by longtime friends and family as Monk. She attended Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi. P.J. and Larry were married on August 22, 1966 in Dothan, Alabama.
She worked at Auburn University while her husband attended Veterinary School. After leaving Auburn, she worked alongside her husband in his veterinary practice for 39 years. She owned the Fort Meade Garden Center for several years and was a fourth-generation citrus grower and member of Peace River Packing Company.
P.J. was extremely proud of her family and devoted much of her life to raising her four children and instilling strong family bonds. She loved cooking, needlework, and had a passion for all plants and flowers. P.J. was a longtime member of the Fort Meade and Bartow Garden Club’s Planter’s Circle and attained the status of Accredited Master Judge in the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.
Her floral design talents were recognized when FFGC featured her design in their annual calendar. She attended numerous short courses and symposiums throughout Florida to further her knowledge of floral design and horticulture. P.J. was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Meade, the American Needlepoint Guild and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She was an active volunteer in the community as a Girl Scout leader and at local schools. P.J. is preceded in death by her parents, David Hugh Varn, Jr, M.D. and Ruth McEntee Varn, parents in law, Marvin David Black, Sr, and Edna June Peters Black, and sister in law, Joanne Black Welch. P.J. is survived by her loving husband, Norman Larry Black, Sr, D.V.M., daughter Nikki Black Hayde (Michael), son Norman Larry Black, Jr. (Jenny), daughter Andi Dru Black, son David Hugh Black (Kaley), sisters Karolyn Varn Nunnallee (Jim) and Delia Varn Drohan (Tom), brother in law David Black (Pam), and nine grandchildren: Andrew Black, Emily Lovett, Varn Black, Sam Lovett, Julia Black, Joseph Hayde, Audrey Hayde, Dean Black, and Tyler Black.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade, Florida with Dr. Jack Taylor of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Meade officiating. Arrangements are by Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 176, Fort Meade, Florida or Camp Wekiva, the camp of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, 1400 S. Denning Dr. Winter Park, FL 32789.
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