If the famous social activist had Bermuda’s Ismay Louise Black in mind when he coined the phrase ‘black is beautiful.’ in all likelihood he would have capitalised the words, “in name and manner”. Because that’s the way she was, and a reason why many of the hundreds who packed the New Testament Church of God, Dundonald Street, Hamilton for her funeral.Ismay died quite unexpectedly while undergoing medical procedures abroad, on September 1. She was three weeks into her 77th year.Well-known radio and television personality Leola (Lee) Stovell, her sister-in-law, eulogised Mrs Black as a loving, passionate, generous, hard-working woman with an unbreakable bond with and commitment to her family and dedication to the career she chose and pursued in the hospitality industry before her retirement years. She worked at the old Imperial Hotel in Hamilton, the Hamilton Princess Hotel (now Fairmont Hamilton), and at a private home for the Crisson family in Cavendish Heights.The fourth child in the family of six of Edmund Kalshaw and Agnes Helena Stovell (nee Armstrong), she acquired a good grounding in ‘the four R’s’ attending Central School (now Victor Scott School). In June 1953, she married the love of her life, Albron (Chum) Black, whose nickname spoke volumes. Four children were born of this union. She was predeceased both by her husband and son Allen Black. Surviving children are Keren Louise Lottmore, Maxine (Max) Black and Gegory Black.Mrs Black loved to travel, cook, entertain friends. She kept young in spirit, taking neighbourhood children and her own out camping in tents at Church Bay and Fort St Catherine, sleeping in tents and under blankets and sheets tied to trees.Sister-in-law Lee Stovell enthused relating how Ismay Louise would be found at every Cup Match in her Somerset colours, and likewise at County games; and how excited she was that her team Somerset won the Cup Match, the month before she passed away.On February 11, 2008, the obituary noted, “Mother Black gave her heart to the Lord at Gospel Tabernacle. She was baptised not far from her home, on February 6, 2011, at Shelly Bay Beach. She had a quiet demeanour but when there was a favourite song she would be found standing, clapping and praising her Lord and Saviour. Her testimony was ‘Jesus I’ll Never Forget What You Have Done for Me” ”