Berne Rose Black

Berne Rose Efron Black, 1932-2019 Berne was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 23, 1932, to Bernard Efron, M.D., and Rose Efron. She attended Isadore Newman School in New Orleans and spent her summers at Burr Oaks Camp in Wisconsin. She was a city tennis champion in New Orleans. Berne attended Skidmore College in New York; LSU and Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University where she earned her teaching degree. She moved to Houston and soon met Norman W. Black, a native Houstonian, whom she married in 1959. For many years, she taught 3rd and 4th grades at Gary L. Herod Elementary in Houston. She also tutored for many years at Lovett Elementary and won awards for this community service. Berne was the lead archivist for and supporter of Norman's career from the time he started his law practice in the late 1950's through his Chief Judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in 1997. The Court and Norman's staff was her "other family." Berne considered Congregation Beth Israel her second home. She was recently honored by Beth Israel Sisterhood for her lifelong commitment to the Sisterhood, Congregation Beth Israel and the Jewish Community. Berne always said the best thing she ever did was marry Norman and have her two girls Elizabeth and Diane. She also cherished her relationships with her two sons-in-law, Dolph B. Simon and William E. "Bill" Smith, II and considered them her children as well. Her granddaughters, Claire and Nora, were the light of her life--she adored her time with them and loved seeing them become young adults. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Dolph Simon; Elizabeth's children Claire and Nora and their father, J. Richard Berry (wife, Jennifer Warren Berry); Dolph's children Aaron Simon, Joel and Chrissy Simon and their children Connor, Ari, and Nina. She is also survived by her daughter Diane, and son-in-law Bill Smith; Bill's children Jennifer Markert and William (B.J.) Smith, III; Jennifer's husband Mike, and their two children, Madison and Olivia. Donations in Berne's honor and memory can be made to Beth Israel Sisterhood, c/o Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096.

Berne Rose Black

July 23, 1932 - May 18, 2019