Ben was born on August 18, 1934 to the late Dan Black and Mattie Black Black and was reared by the loving and caring family of Henry Lee Heavner and Sallie Hull Heavner.  Ben was retired as a Printer from Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation after 37 ½ years of service and after his retirement worked at Modern Printing in Cherryville for 11 years.  Ben was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Cherryville and the J.L. Beam Men’s Bible Class.  As hobbies Ben enjoyed hunting, fishing and raising fishing worms and was a photographer and took many pictures for families in the Cherryville area.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nora Clark Heavner of the home and a son Mark Heavner; two grandchildren, Alex and Claire Heavner all of Knoxville, TN; half brother, Rodney Black of Crouse.  Also surviving is a number of nieces and nephews including Denise Sellers, Nancy Brackett and Sabra Thornburg who we especially thank for their care and assistance during Ben’s illness.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by eight brothers and six sisters.

Visitation will be on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. at Stamey~Cherryville Funeral Home and at other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral Services will be on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:00p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Cherryville with the Revs. Rick Fite and Jerry Lail.  The body will be placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Black Family Section of City Memorial Cemetery, Cherryville with Masonic Rites.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 28021 or to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr. Shelby, NC 28150.

A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com

Stamey~Cherryville Funeral Home is serving the Heavner family.