Jacelyn "JC" Black Obituary (1978 - 2015)

Jacelyn Loyce Black (Jace), 36, a former Grant County resident passed away October 25, 2015 in Richland, Washington after succumbing to injuries from an automobile accident that occurred on October 19, 2015 in Hermiston, Oregon. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday at the Prairie City Baptist Church in Prairie City, Oregon, graveside service will follow at the Canyon City Cemetery and a reception will be held at the John Day Senior Center. Jace was born November 24, 1978 in John Day Oregon to Mary Lou (Phillips) Campbell and Jimmy R. Black. Although Jacelyn was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, she quickly became the ray of sunshine for her parents, brother, sister and loving extended family and friends. Jace began some early intervention programs as an infant and continued her education in the Grant Union School District until she graduated from high school in 1997. During her years in school she was both a student and a teacher in that she helped lead the way for new ideas and programs to enrich the lives of herself and her peers. She learned sign language although her speech was very audible so she could communicate with those not so fortunate. Her childhood was full of engaging indoor and outdoor activities in which she fully participated and was often the leader. Jace moved with her family to Hermiston, Oregon in 1998 where she became involved with the ARC of Umatilla, People First, a job at McDonald's and continued participation in Special Olympics. Later she volunteered to read books to the children at the Hermiston Library. She took great pride in having her own apartment that she shared with her cat, Patsy. Here she created amazing baked goods, crocheted hats, scarves and her hot pads to share with friends and family. Jace spent months preparing for holidays and never forgot a birthday (including her own). The children in her apartment complex gathered at her home to partake in her freshly baked food, games and crafts. She watched over, fed and brought these children in from the cold while they waited for their parents to return to their homes. She is survived by parents, Mary Lou and Gordon Campbell of Pasco, Washington, father Jim Black of Boise, Idaho, brothers Aaron (Kirsten) Black, Zoey and Addison of Bend, Oregon, Ryan (Christie) Campbell, Lexie, Ryle and Mason of Pilot Rock, Oregon, sisters Emily (Greg) Ransier, Natalie, Nathan and Kaelene of Pasco, Wa, Lindsay (Jeremiah) Maghan, Schade, Kellon, Brogan and Alex, Angie (Neal) Raynor of Scotland, grandmother Loyce Phillips, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends. Jace was preceded in death by grandparents, Jim and Betty Black of Boise, Idaho, grandfather Stan Phillips of John Day. Memorial contibutions may be made to the Special Olympics, Grant County Library or charity of your choice through Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845