Florence Foxworth

~ Reflections of Mother Florence Foxworth ~

God’s Word ~ Acts 17:28 as given to the men of Athens by the Apostle Paul; “God is not far from each of us, for in Him we live and have our being.”  John 17:4 as Jesus spoke to His Father, “I have glorified you on earth; I have finished the work which you have given Me to do.”

These two scriptures were seeded in the heart of Mother Florence Gerald Foxworth. She was born on August 20, 1931 to the late McKinley and Rosa Gerald in Mullins, South Carolina. She departed this earthly life on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the age of 89 glorious years.

Florence attended the Marion County Public Schools in Mullins, South Carolina and was a graduate of the Palmetto High School.  She received her B.A. Degree at Benedict College, M.A. Degree at North Carolina Central in Durham, North Carolina; Special Training in Mental Retardation at the University of Virginia, Post graduate work at SC State University, Coastal Carolina, Fayetteville State, Francis Marion University, Special Education Department Chairperson, Superintendent Council - PTA. Florence teaching experiences began at Rains-Centenary Elementary School, Terrell’s Bay High School, Mullins High School, SCEA-NEA.

Florence was married in holy matrimony to Lamar Foxworth Sr. and to this union two children were born.

She was a member of St. John AME Church and her affiliations were: Steward Board, Stewardess, Class Leader, Choir member, Missionary Past President NE Conference, Women’s Social Action Chairperson, Sarah Allen Torch Lighter for WMS 2010, Worship Director for the Marion District WMS, Lay member, 1990 Lay Person of the Year, Pastor’s Benevolent Club, Sunshine Club and consecrated as Deaconess by Bishop Williams of the AME Church in August 2007.

Florence Civic and Fraternal Affiliations were: Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Palmetto Chapter Order of Eastern Star, NAACP, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and Alzheimer’s Association.

Her recognition awards: Who’s Who Child Development in America, Member of American Women Personalities of South Carolina, Mullins High 1991 Teacher of the Year, District II Honor Roll Teacher; attended President Clinton’s Inauguration in 1993, United Negro College Fund Award in 2004, NAACP Outstanding Award Banquet Queen 2004, SC State Branch NAACP #One Runner-up for Woman of the Year Award, Name placed in the Congressional Record Volume 149 Washington in 2003 by Congressman James Clyburn and name placed in the Record of SC General Assembly by former Senator Maggie Glover for Outstanding work in Education and Community.  Florence sprouted into glorifying God in her home, her community of believers and all that she did because she believed that obedience is better than sacrifice and she rejoiced in letting herself be used as a vessel for God’s glorification.  

Preceding Florence in death along with her parents; her husband, Lamar Foxworth Sr. and a sister: Jerline McClellan. Mother Foxworth leaves to cherish her legacy, love and memories ~ her daughter: Cheryl F. {Allen} Conner; her son: Lamar Foxworth Jr.; two grandchildren that she loved and adored: DeJuan Conner of Los Angeles, CA and Jeremy Conner of Florence, SC; one great grandchild: Dreeme Conner; one sister: Ernestine G. Reaves; two brothers: McKinley {Margie} Gerald Jr. and Joseph Gerald, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.