Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
DENMARK - Ina Lou Wright Black, 92, passed away Wednesday, September 9th, 2026.
Lou was born on July 20, 1934 in Durant, Oklahoma, the daughter of the late Leroy and Marguerite Wright. The Wrights moved several times during Lou’s childhood and teenage years because of her father’s career with Daniels Construction Company. Lou often told stories about their time living in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, (known as the “Secret City”) and her experience going to school there, where an exceptional variety of courses were offered.
The Wrights moved to Blackville, South Carolina, in 1952, and it was here that Lou met and fell in love with James (“Jimmy”) Black of Hilda. They were married on August 9, 1953. Lou worked for the Edisto Research Center for seven years, saving every paycheck except for the last one, which she cashed to purchase a crib and a home movie camera. Jimmy and Lou welcomed a son, Terry, in 1959.
In 1962, Jimmy wanted to open an automotive parts store in Denmark. He asked Lou to run the store while he maintained his family’s gas station in Hilda until he was certain the new business would be successful. Never one to back down from a challenge, Lou agreed and started studying the parts catalogs. She often talked about reading them at the beauty salon while she got her hair done. Lou became one of the first female automotive jobbers in South Carolina. The family moved to Denmark in 1966, and Jimmy sold the gas station in 1968 to work full-time at the parts store.
Lou enjoyed and excelled in a variety of hobbies. She was an avid sports fan, coaching junior varsity girls’ basketball at Andrew Jackson Academy in the 1970s and the Denmark First Baptist men’s team in the early 1990s. Lou and her family attended countless basketball and football games to cheer on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks over the years. She also loved to fish and was known to stay up all night on the pier at Santee and bring in a bucket of striped bass in the morning. Lou was a talented artist: decorating her home and yard, arranging flowers for numerous weddings and events in the community, participating in the Palmetto Garden Club, and painting. She especially enjoyed painting natural scenes and wildlife, and many folks are fortunate to hang one of her painted ornaments on their Christmas tree each year.
Her greatest love, though, was her family. Lou was a wonderful cook, always eager to prepare a meal and set a beautiful table. Her holiday spreads were extravagant, with freshly cut camellias in the centerpiece arrangement. She loved to cook each person’s favorite dish, so there were often leftovers to enjoy for days. Her young granddaughters felt like princesses when she served them iced tea in crystal stemware. Lou was always present for their every dance recital, piano recital, and tennis match, and she often helped out with after-school transportation to various practices and lessons. Lou and her siblings frequently got together for family reunions with their children and grandchildren; the occasions were always filled with fabulous food and raucous laughter.
Lou was a member of Denmark First Baptist Church, where she served on numerous committees over the years.
Lou was the treasured wife of James (“Jimmy”) Black; loving mother to Terry and mother-in-law to Pam; doting “Nana” to granddaughters Emily Black, Eve (Clayton) Meisner, and great-grandson Mason Meisner. She is also survived by her sister, Ethel Smith of Cleveland, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Jennings Martin of Blackville, South Carolina; sister, Jody Black of Cordova, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Sue Wright of Lenoir City, Tennessee; and sister-in-law, Susan Wright of Barnwell, South Carolina.
She was predeceased by her brothers Roy Wright and Bob Wright, sister Eula Faye Martin, brother-in-law Dan Smith, and brother-in-law Elvin Black.
Lou’s family would like to thank the staff at Pruitt Health in Barnwell, South Carolina, who tenderly and lovingly cared for her and our family over the past few months.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Barnwell Memory Gardens. The Reverend Andy Hunter will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Shriners Children’s Hospital or Denmark First Baptist Church.
Folk Funeral Home in Denmark, South Carolina, is assisting with the arrangements. Visit the online registry at www.folkfuneralhome.com.
