Photoshop :: How To Fill Path Created Around Text

I am using old Photoshop 7 because honestly, it has always filled every minor need of mine.  Normally, I'm not doing much more than creating simple display placards, but this new project has me stumped.  I am creating a simple layout for a device that will be silkscreened.  The screen will be exposed using what I am creating in PS7, printed on a transparency.
 
The problem I am running into is with the text dithering.  I found a tutorial that explained selecting the layer, then using Layer>Type>Create Work Path to generate a path around all of the text on the layer.  I am now attempting to fill this path with solid black.  When I select the path in the palette, the dot to fill the path is grayed out.  I found an app note that stated when text is active, this is not an option.  I tried disabling the text layer, but it didn't work.