Obituary

Renae Crain Black

February 19, 1943 - June 9, 2025

Renae Crain Black, age 82 and a longtime resident of Metairie, passed away Monday morning June 9, 2025 at Ochsner Medical Center after a lengthy illness. She was born in Tylertown, Mississippi on February 19, 1943 and grew up in northern Washington Parish. 

After graduating from Pine High School, Renae obtained a Bachelor’s degree in education from Louisiana State University. She had a lifelong thirst for knowledge and would later receive her Master’s degree in Latin from the University of New Orleans. Renae was an English and Latin teacher within different high schools in Jefferson Parish, most notably at Grace King High School for many years, before retiring. She greatly valued the opportunity to educate and mentor countless young people through the years and she always tried to instill into them her own passion for learning. Renae enjoyed exercising and traveling. She was an avid reader of her Bible and other books. She was truly a selfless person, always thinking about the needs of others over herself. This applied especially to her family and granddaughters, who affectionately called her “Nona”. Renae loved spending time with them after school, reading and learning and always enjoyed bringing them on trips back to her home area, including the Washington Parish Free Fair every October. She will be forever remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of her students, the commitment she had to education and for the unconditional love she had for her family.

Survived by: Son and Daughter in law: Jim and Dodee Black of Metairie; 2 Granddaughters: Camille Elizabeth Black, Madeline Renae Black; Sister in law: Sue Fortenberry Crain; Nephew and Niece: Roger Wesley Crain and Theresa Crain; Great-nephews and Nieces: Wesley John Crain, Brooke and Ian Turner, Lylah Audrey Crain; Also survived by numerous cousins

She was preceded in death by her father John Wesley Crain, mother Nell Crain Corkern, brother John Wayne Crain and other family members.

Visitation will be at Stateline Missionary Baptist Church (31384 Hwy. 62, Franklinton, LA) on Sunday June 15th from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the church at 2:00 pm Sunday with Bro. Trey Jenkins and Bro. Patrick Magee officiating. Burial will follow in the Seals-Tullos Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Benjamin Biggs, Wesley Crain, Ian Turner