{"id":56029,"date":"2025-03-20T21:19:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T21:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/?p=56029"},"modified":"2025-03-20T21:19:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T21:19:09","slug":"mississippi-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/?p=56029","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Track>>>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Terry native was a sophomore track and field athlete at Belhaven University where she excelled in sprinting and triple jumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie Black passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 1. The 19-year-old athlete, known for her speed on the track and her kindness off it, died at home.<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Natalie Black, from a post dated March 6, 2025 | Source: Facebook\/formeka.black<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie had competed earlier that day in her team\u2019s first outdoor meet of the season in Clinton before returning home to spend time with her family. After a tedious day on her feet, she fell asleep on the couch but never woke up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie\u2019s mother, Formeka Black, has spoken out, recalling the excitement her daughter felt on the fateful day, after achieving a triple jump record that surpassed her personal best. She divulged, \u201cWe had an amazing last day with her Saturday. From morning till night, we all had an amazing day with her\u2026 she was so happy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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She added, \u201cAnd later into the night, still celebrating with family, she simply laid on the couch for a little nap and never woke up. I THANK GOD. There was no suffering. HE gave us that much Grace!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie\u2019s sudden passing has left teammates, friends, and loved ones in shock. A native of Terry, Mississippi, Natalie was a dedicated athlete and a source of encouragement to those around her, including the coaches who guided her behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Her warm spirit and infectious smile made a lasting impact on her community. In her honor, family, friends, and teammates gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Belhaven track, ensuring that the light she brought to others continues to shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belhaven University posted about her demise on Instagram, writing, \u201cBelhaven University mourns the loss of sophomore student athlete Natalie Black.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Belhaven University Track and Field\/Cross Country team has also shared a heartfelt tribute after Natalie\u2019s death. The team remembered Natalie as \u201csomeone who Loved the Lord and everyone around her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Natalie Black, from a post dated March 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram\/belhaventfxc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They shared that Natalie embodied the spirit of compassion and camaraderie. This showed via her passion for her sport and the unwavering love she had for her family, friends, and teammates. \u201cShe was what the world needed, she was what Belhaven needed,\u201d the team penned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Natalie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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They added more touching words about the athlete, \u201cThere are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone, the light remains. Natalie was that Light. She will forever be a part of the team, always in our hearts. Natalie\u2019s Contributions, Achievements, and Legacy will Continue to live on Forever!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Natalie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Natalie Black, from a post dated March 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram\/belhaventfxc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they grieved, the team extended their deepest sympathies to Natalie\u2019s family, friends, and all who were touched by her welcoming spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Formeka thanked everyone for standing with their family as she recognized the overwhelming support from kin, friends, classmates, and the communities that had been part of her daughter\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sent her gratitude to everyone who reached out, including coaches, professors, and Belhaven University parents who remembered them from move-in day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was especially touched by Natalie\u2019s teammates and friends who shared cherished photos and videos. \u201cY\u2019all had answers I didn\u2019t know I needed!!\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Formeka\u00a0added, \u201cPlease continue to lift us up in prayer. We need them. I\u2019m trying to be strong for our Boys. Yet, they\u2019re being strong for me. I\u2019m so glad we have each other to lean on when the other can\u2019t even stand. This reality has been a devastating blow to our family and we are taking things minute by minute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

also read….<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Terry native was a sophomore track and field athlete at Belhaven University where she excelled in sprinting and triple jumps. Natalie Black passed away unexpectedly on… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56029"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=56029"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56031,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56029\/revisions\/56031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/56030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=56029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=56029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=56029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}