Charles Dean Black

Charles Dean Black, age 85, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, February 6, 2026. Dean, as everyone called him, was born March 25, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Arthur Gray Black and Delma Barnett Black.

He lived in Birmingham for much of his early life and worked at Herring Drug for several years during high school and college. After high school, he attended Howard College (later named Samford University) originally pursuing a career in pharmacy and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He left college and joined the United States Navy in 1961, where he was a corpsman working in the pharmacy on hospital ships in Long Beach, CA and Pensacola, FL. After the service, Dean began working for Lakeside Pharmaceuticals in New Orleans, LA. He married Linda Wingard, whom he had met while frequenting Herring Drug, in 1968 and continued to live in New Orleans until 1970. They moved back to Birmingham so he could finish his degree. He graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1971.

Dean worked for Brookwood Hospital Corporation in Birmingham as an assistant administrator. They had 2 children while in Birmingham, Richard Dean Black and Lisa Michelle Black. He was named the hospital administrator for Rocky Mount Sanitarium in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1978. Wanting to move his family closer to his roots, he accepted the position of hospital administrator at the former Walton County Hospital in DeFuniak Springs in 1980.

Later, he opened The Outlet, a towel and linen outlet that also carried ladies’ shoes, located in what is now the Fawaz Medical and Surgical Clinic. When Wal-Mart came to town, he closed his business and became a Health Services Administrator for Okaloosa Correctional Institution in Crestview, where he served until his retirement in 2004.

Dean and his family loved to travel and visited all 50 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, and Europe. He especially enjoyed camping, and many trips included a conversion van and campsites along the way. Dean was a member of First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs and dearly loved his Sunday School class and church family.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Betty Joyce Black. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Black; his son, Richard Black (Vanessa); his daughter, Lisa Black Mason (Dale); three grandchildren, Ashton Dean, Addison Reese, and Alden Gray Black; and two granddaughters by marriage, Sarah Mason and Allie Mason. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren, who brought immense joy to his life, especially in the years before he was no longer able to get around without assistance.

The family would like to thank the staff of Gentiva Hospice and Julie Elio, LPN for helping him live his last days at home, in comfort and peace. They would also like to thank the many friends, neighbors and church family who have tended to the family during his last few months.

As per his wishes, his body will be cremated with no funeral service. McDonald Family Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Tributes may be made to First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs.