Claire Duplessis Wand Black

Sumter, SC…Claire Duplessis Wand Black, age 89, passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021, at her home.

Mrs. Black was born in Darrow, Louisiana on July 20, 1932. She was a daughter of the late Wilmon Israel “Bris” and Louise Bourgeois Duplessis.  She was predeceased by Donald Wand, her husband of 43 years, R Powell Black, her husband of 19 years, a son, Martin Lewis Wand, a grandson, Jeremy Michael Hicks, her sisters, Carmel “Doot” Madere, Carolyn (Toe Toe) Smiley, and Carolee (Boofy) Smiley.

She is survived by her brother Burton Leonce Duplessis of Darrow, LA, children, Donald Wand and his wife Kathleen of Lincolnton, NC, Michelle Herod of Lugoff, SC, Anne Goodson and her husband Max of Sumter, SC, Connie Robertson and her husband Butch of Hickory, NC, Chris Wand of Columbia, SC, Steve Wand and his wife Julie of Jacksonville, NC, Jennifer Hicks (Bill Lynch) of Lexington and Catherine McInnis and her husband Dave of Sumter, SC as well as 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.  

She is also survived by her stepchildren Ralph Powell “Tim” Black, Jr. and his wife Grizelda of Austin, TX; Susan Stalheim and her husband Rodney of Lenoir, NC; Ellen Tyner and her husband Joe of Florence, SC; Lee Alford of Sumter, SC; and Kathy Matis and her husband Steve of Charlotte, NC.

Mrs. Black spent most of her adult life as a volunteer for various organizations. She helped at the Shaw AFB Pharmacy, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a Guardian ad Litem who was recognized by President George W. Bush as a “Point of Light.” 

She was a Master Gardener and a faithful member of St. Anne Catholic Church and School where she served as a Lector, pianist, organist, tutor, and Sunday School member and was a member of the St Anne Women’s Guild. 

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Donnie Wand, Ben Herod, Adam Goodson, Robert Morton, Jimmy Hicks, Zach Hicks, McDuffie Miles, and Chris Gainous.

You are invited to a Celebration of Life reception at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Bullock Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Anne Catholic Church at 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 29, 2021. The burial will be held in the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Place H.E.G.F. (Hourly Employee Gift Fund), 2825 Carter Road, Box 202, Sumter, SC 29150, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or stjude.org, or The Salvation Army, 16 Kendrick Street, Sumter, SC  29150

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staffs of Covenant Place, At Your Service Home Care, and Amedisys Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claire Duplessis Wand Black, please visit our floral store.