James Black
Mr. James “Pickle” Black, age 91, of Hickman, Ky., passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Baptist Health in Paducah, Ky.
He was born on June 4, 1934, in Hickman to the late Finley Black and Frances Kesterson Black.
Mr. Black was a lifelong resident of Hickman and a faithful member and trustee of East Hickman Baptist Church. He was a retired farmer and a former Fulton County Magistrate, holding the distinction of being the longest-serving magistrate in the state of Kentucky. He also served on the Riverport Board.
He is survived by two sons, Greg (Teresa) Black and David (Gail) Black, both of Hickman; one daughter, Melinda (Kevin) German of Somerville; and grandchildren Felisha Amberg, Ashley (Derek) Goodson and Jay Black, all of Hickman, Lauren (Brian) Arnold and Adrienne (Chapman) Offutt, all of Paducah, Brandon (Tori) Watts of Hickman, Blake (Victoria) Watts of Delmar, Calif., Joshua (Chelsea) Watts of Moscow, Tenn. Jacob (Haley) Watts of Somerville, Courtney (Bob) Holden of Oakland and Jeremy (Heather) German of Arlington, Tenn.
He also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren, Mia (Seth) Mitchell, Myles and Maddox Amberg, all of Hickman, Keaton, Collin and Kaegan Goodson, all of Hickman, Kylie Hurt of Arlington, Ky., Kinsley Black of Hickman, Jameson and Natalie Arnold, both of Paducah, Milo and Oliver Offutt, both of Paducah, Tatum Watts of Hickman, Addilyn and Asher Watts of Moscow, Tenn., Vail, Vanna and Wes Watts of Delmar, Calif., Mallory, Kylie and Roddy Holden of Oakland and Myah, Carter and Hudson German of Arlington, Tenn. He was also blessed with a great-great-grandchild, Walker Mitchell of Hickman.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lillie Mae Black, who passed away on March 2, 2023; a great-granddaughter, Lennon Black; one brother; and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel in Hickman, with burial to follow in Hickman City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel from 10 a.m. until the service hour.
Memorials may be made to East Hickman Baptist Church Vision Fund, P.O. Box 117, Hickman, KY 42050.
The Messenger