Mary Ann (Eaddy) Black

The Honorable MaryAnn Eaddy Black, MSW, LCSW, made a peaceful transition to her heavenly home on March 25, 2020 in the comfort of her home. MaryAnn was born in Manhattan, New York to the Late Reverend Dr. Solomon Eaddy, Sr. and Mrs. Susanna Law Eaddy. At an early age her parents moved from New York to Florence, South Carolina. She was educated in the Florence Public School System and graduated from Wilson High School. MaryAnn went on to further her education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and obtained a bachelor of science degree in English. After moving to Durham, North Carolina she furthered her education at UNC-Chapel Hill earning a master's degree in social work.

MaryAnn was an accomplished clinical social worker who served in private practice for more than 30 years providing psychotherapy services to children and their families. In 1994, she was named "Social Worker of the Year" by the State of North Carolina and later the same year by the National Association of Social Workers. With a desire to increase her advocacy on behalf of children and families she entered the political arena as a Durham County Commissioner from 1990 to 2002, and as the Chair of the Durham County Commissioners from 1996 to 2002.

At the time of her transition, MaryAnn served as Associate Vice President for Community Relations for the Duke University Health System, where she worked tirelessly to establish partnerships with the city, the county and other agencies and organizations to empower every citizen regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Many of the initiatives led to enhancing the relationship Duke University Health System has with local government, community leaders, the faith communities and other groups seeking to improve the physical and emotional health of the people of Durham.

MaryAnn's commitment to serving others is one of the many reasons she proudly served in the NC General Assembly representing District 29. She served on a number of Standing and Select Committees including but not limited to Aging; Appropriations, Health and Human Services; Health; and House Select Committee on School Safety.

During her career she received numerous awards, and served on local, state and federal committees. Most recently, she received the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce 2020 Woman of the Year award. Working in the NC General Assembly in a bipartisan manner, Representative MaryAnn and Representative Josh Dobson were recognized for their longtime commitment to young children, their support for the Think Babies™ NC Alliance's policy priorities, and their bipartisan work on HB 882, a bill to support the early childhood education workforce, which was passed in a unanimous vote in the NC House of Representatives. However, her greatest accomplishment was being a loving mother, daughter, sister and aunt. Mary Ann loved spending time with her family, attending the annual Eaddy-Barr family reunion, reading, shopping, traveling and engaging in activities that kept her youthful. Additionally, she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her father, Reverend Dr. Solomon Eaddy, Sr.; son, Mr. James "Christopher" Black; and brother, Frederick Eaddy. She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted son Jonathon C. Black, MSW; grandson Jordan Black; daughter-in­ love, Lisa Black Epps, MBA; mother, Susanna Eaddy; brother, Solomon (Barbara) Eaddy, Jr.; sister, Barbara (Dr. Allie) Faye E. Brooks; nephew, Solomon "Geno" Eaddy, III, MS; nephew and Godson, Allie Eugene (Dr. Janell) Brooks, III, BA; three nieces, Dr.D. Fredrica Brooks-Davis, Thelma S. Brooks, JD, and Akeeya Umstead, BA; two great nieces, Hailey E. Brooks, Allison E. Brooks; one great nephew, Allie E. "Dru" Brooks, IV; Goddaughter, Chandler Spaulding, JD, and numerous family members and devoted friends.

In honoring the request of Mrs. Black, she was buried on March 27, 2020 in Beechwood Cemetery.

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