Merriann Delores Rigsbee Black's Obituary
Merriann Delores Rigsbee Black was born September 1, 1940 in Durham, North Carolina to Edwin Kenneth Rigsbee and Mary Alice Maples. She was the only daughter of the couple and had one sibling, Edwin Kenneth Rigsbee, Sr. She grew up in Durham where she enjoyed a wonderful childhood being raised within a block of both sets of grandparents.
She married A.W. Clayton in 1960. Four years later they were blessed with a son, Bradley Warden Clayton who passed away in 2006. In 1973 they were blessed with a second son, Thomas Brandon Clayton.
Merriann started her own court reporting business where she employed a number of staff typists. She was well known for her accuracy and was requested for many important court cases, even outside of the state of North Carolina.
Later in life Merriann married her eternal soul mate, Joseph Marvin Black. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple in 1988. Marvin and Merriann were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings including temple officiators.
Merriann and Marvin retired and moved to Logan, Utah in 2005 where they enjoyed their residence and neighborhood. Marvin passed away in 2014, after which Merriann moved to her current home in Providence.
Merriann passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of 83 at the Cache Valley Assisted Living facility in Providence on June 27, 2024 where she resided for the last three months of her life. The family is deeply grateful for the kind care and attention she received while there.
Merriann is survived by her son, Brandon (Sarah Jane Summers, deceased), Jake, granddaughters Amy (Scott Wheeler), Abigail, and Aubrey; grandson, Kenny Brad Clayton, and one great grandson, Archer Wheeler.
Graveside services will be held on July 5, 2024 at the Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, North Carolina where Merriann will be laid to rest next to her eternal companion, Marvin.
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