Buddy Black

Buddy Black, 87, of Woodbury passed away on April 2, 2017. He was born in Rutherford County to James Hillard and Eva Groom Black. He was the second of six sons, preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne Black (MIA Korea) Pete Black, and Denny Black. Buddy is survived by his wife, Annabel Seward Black; son, James Donald Black; granddaughter, Devon and grandson, Destin; brothers, Sam (Francis) Black and Bobby (Lynn) Black both of Murfreesboro, and a sister-in-law, Gerry Black of Murfreesboro. Buddy was raised in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Milton. He served with the 981st Army Engineers during the Korean War. He retired as a highly respected Chief Deputy Sheriff and Court Officer in Cannon County after 20 years of service. Buddy's primary passion in life was working with large animals. He showed his first Tennessee Walking Horse at age thirteen. He began training professionally in the mid 1950's. Winning Three-Year-Old Gelding Class at the Celebration in 1957 aboard Go Boy's Jet-A-Way. During his career, he showed Sun's Ace of Spades, The Sire of World Grand Champion, Ace's Sensation, which he owned as a Two-Year-Old. He was the trainer of the 1969 World Grand Champion Walking Pony, Scat Man's Kitty Kat. Other great horses in his stable were Go Boy's Brenda Lee, My Fair Lady, Mysterious Shadow, Handshaker's Princess, Son of Bel Aire, and Society Mack K. In 1965 he presented Triple Threat for sale commanding a bid of $43,000. The highest priced walking horse ever sold at public auction at the time. Buddy Black is the name that comes to mind when you hear the term Mule Skinner. He began working mules in the field at age five. His skills developed into training and showing draft mules. Many champion mules passed through his barn. In 1978 he won the Champion Pair Mules at Louisville, KY. There were nine championship classes in the show and he won seven of the nine. Buddy was one of the founding members of the Middle Tennessee Mule Skinners to preserve the heritage of the working mule. For 34 years, he had the honor of being the first wagon in the Columbia Mule Day Parade. He was named the Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2014 Columbia Mule Day Parade. Fittingly enough, Buddy passed away following the weeklong celebration of 2017 Mule Day which he loved so much. Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 5-8 pm. A visitation will also be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the Woodbury First Methodist Church from 9-11 am. Funeral services immediately following with Rev. John Wesley Hembree officiating and Andy Duggin and Winky Groover offering remembrances. Interment will be in Riverside Garden. Active pallbearers will be Jerry Higgins, Grady George, Jr., Joe Young, Bruce Lewis, Jeff Kemp, Travis Kemp, Christian Warner, and David Scott. Honorary pallbearers will the Members of the Middle Tennessee Mule Skinners Association. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Woodbury First United Methodist Church. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 615-563-5337