When you walk down the halls of The Harbor at Legacy Village of Hendersonville these days, you’re likely to hear laughter — not the soft, polite kind, but the real, uncontainable belly laughs that ripple down the corridor and invite everyone in. That’s usually a sign that Dorace Black is nearby. Since arriving in June 2024, he’s been more than just a resident. Dorace has a way of lighting up a room the way sunrise breaks into a quiet kitchen, bringing humor and an unshakeable spark wherever he goes.

Born on February 10, 1949, in the small town of Bolivar, Tennessee, Dorace grew up under the watchful eye of his beloved Aunt Louise. Even as a boy, you could sense he was built for big adventures; by the time he was twelve, he’d already ventured beyond the boundaries of rural Tennessee, eager to see what lay beyond the familiar fields and porches of home.

Dorace graduated from Cameron High School in 1967. Not long after, he joined the Navy — swapping the green hills of his childhood for the endless blue of the open water. He built a family with his wife, Gloria, and together they raised two daughters, Shanell Black Southall and Latonya King, along with a son, Greg McKnight. Family, to Dorace, is everything, and his daughter Shanell is always ready with a story about her father’s resilience and wit.

One such story comes from a hard moment in his life: Dorace’s amputation, which resulted from a fall at home. It could have been a moment for self-pity, but that’s simply not in his nature. Instead, he greeted the first visitors to his hospital room with a grin, spinning a tall tale: “A shark bit my leg… just one bite!” That’s classic Mr. Black — always choosing laughter, even when life hands him something bitter.

Ask him about his favorite foods, and his eyes light up with memories of Tennessee – plates piled high with fried chicken, rich macaroni and cheese, and turnip greens cooked just right. When he talks about family gatherings, you can almost hear the clatter of serving spoons and the murmur of shared stories over supper.

Within The Harbor community, Dorace is more than a resident; he calls the others his coworkers, and reminds everyone that he’s the Supervisor. It’s not hard to believe—he keeps spirits high with a quick quip or a well-timed grin, always ready to find the jokes tucked between the routines of daily life.

He once announced with a twinkle in his eye, “I think I might just spend the night here tonight and get up early for work tomorrow. I do not want to drive home tonight after dinner!” Lines like that are classic Dorace, and they linger in the air long after he’s rolled his wheelchair down the hall.



Dorace Black’s gift is simple but powerful — everywhere he goes, he leaves a trail of joy and connection, brightening days and reminding us what’s possible when you choose joy, even when life is unpredictable. Spend a little time with him, and it’s hard not to feel grateful for the laughter and kindness he so freely shares.