Bertice Mae Florence
Passed 04/03/2022
A service honoring her life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2:00 pm at St. Thomas Chapel. Visitation will begin at 1:30 pm. Interment: St. Thomas Church Cemetery
Bertice Mae Mathis Florence was the oldest child of seven children born to the late John Frank Sr. and Mozell Russell Mathis on October 29, 1934 in Columbus, GA. She peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Sunday, April 3, 2022.
She attended Muscogee County Schools in Columbus, GA and later met Marvin Ferdinand Florence who was in the military and stationed in Fort Benning near Columbus, GA. They married on December 11, 1954 and God blessed this union to celebrate 60 years before Marvin's death in June 2015. She retired from Cone Mills in Greensboro, NC after many years of dedicated service.
In her earlier years, Bertice enjoyed cooking and was well-known for her red velvet cakes and homemade chili. She also loved a good bargain and could not wait for Saturday yard sales. She loved people and could often be heard in conversations calling them suga or young’n. Bertice was a giver and loved putting a smile on someone’s face by handing them a piece of money or sharing a word of encouragement. Her favorite daily activity was playing Mrs. Pacman and doing word search puzzles. She also looked forward to her monthly meetings with the "Sunflower Group” and was one of the charter members.
Bertice was a faithful member of St. Thomas Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church where she served on the Missionary Circle, Usher Board and Senior Choir and was Senior Choir president for many years.
Bertice was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Ferdinand Florence, parents, John Sr. and Mozell Mathis, sister, Myra Nell Williams, one brother, Warren Mathis, two sons, Marvin Daniel Florence and Troy Florence, two daughters-in-law, Yvonne Jennings Florence and Elizabeth Clark Florence and one grandchild, Tomecia Lasaun Florence.
She leaves to cherish her memory, sons, Tommy Florence, Marty Florence, Christopher Florence and daughter, Beverly (Tavis) Neal, sister, Gladys Fortune, brothers, John Mathis, Jr, Felton Mathis and Clifford Mathis, ten grandchildren, Tommy Florence, Tequila (Haywood) Shephard, Tornaia Pinnix, Avery (Latisha) Florence, LaToya (Jamaal) Florence Cowan, Travis Neal, Tevin (Najerie) Neal, Trevor Neal, Shavontae Dickerson and Pete Florence, twelve great-grandchildren, fifteen plus Godchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.