Jacob W. “Jake” Black, Jr.
Laurens, South Carolina
Jacob W. “Jake” Black, Jr., husband of Diane Lollis Black for 32 years, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Prisma Health Laurens.
Jake was born on May 10, 1940, in Swansea, South Carolina, to the late Jacob W. Black, Sr. and Clara Dantzler Black. He graduated from Swansea High School in 1958, and Clemson University in 1963, where he earned a football scholarship and played under the legendary Coach Frank Howard. He remained an avid Clemson Tiger fan for his entire life. Jake retired in 2000 from the US Soil and Water Conservation Service in Laurens as the District Conservationist for the US Department of Agriculture. During his 40-year career, he worked in Pickens, Edgefield, and Laurens counties. He was instrumental in the work to build the Lake Rabon dam and also assisted in the work to build the park in downtown Laurens and to help control the flooding issues in town. He also served as the President of the LD55 High School Booster Club from 1984-1988. Jake was of the Methodist faith, was a Captain in the United States Army where he served in the Dominican Republic, and loved being outdoors, especially hunting and working in the garden before his health declined.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Angela Black Drake (Lucas) of Charleston and a son, Todd C. Black (Olga) of Woodstock, GA; one brother, William Black of Swansea; two step-children, Scott Barker (Caroline) of Laurens and Mary Beth Campbell (Tim) of Laurens; three step-grandchildren, Alexandra Barker, Hampton Barker, and Christian Campbell, all of Laurens; and three nephews, Lee Black, Barrett Black (Tiffany), and Clay Black, all of Swansea.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant twin brothers, Andrew and Anthony Black.
Awill be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC, conducted by Rev. Ben Rumph.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 244 W. Main St., Laurens, SC, 29360.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.thekennedymortuary.com.
The Kennedy Mortuary & Crematory of Laurens
