Mrs. Stella Mae Florence was born on Nov. 11, 1923, in Covington County to the late Henry and Artarker Bryant. She was the seventh of 15 children.
She attended Sweet Beulah Baptist Church at an early age and later joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her health failed.
She was president of the senior choir. She worked diligently in the church and won several awards for outstanding works, which she took great pride in doing. She was employed at Green’s Pit for a number of years, where she was known for her sweet potato and apple pies. Her greatest joy was cooking for her family.
In 1939, she was united in holy matrimony to the late John D. Florence. To this union nine children were born. Four of them preceded her in death.
She departed this life at her residence on March 10, 2009. She leaves to cherish her loving memories five sisters, Pinky Thaggard, Ernestine Perkins, Henrietta Bryant, LuRetha Barnes, and Ruby Nell (Chris) Barr; one brother, Hispanola Bryant; five daughters, Lillie Bonham of Gantt, Ala., Connie (Bobby) Jones of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Eddie Joe Florence of Gantt, Ala., Yvonne Florence of Andalusia, Evelyn (Jerry) Fanning of Andalusia; 28 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; honorary god-daughter Betty Sue Coleman; two special friends Mary Lou Tolbert and Shirley Robertson; and a host of other friends and relatives.
The body will lie in state Friday at Kirk’s Funeral Chapel from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at church one hour prior to service.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Matthew Coleman officiating. Kirk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.