Mary Ann Florence

Mary Ann Florence, age 84 of Springfield, formerly of Greenview, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on November 17, 2023, surrounded by love.

Mary Ann was born on February 26, 1939 in Sumner, Illinois, the daughter of Omar and Mary Smith.  She and her siblings were raised there on the family farm.  She graduated early from Bridgeport High School, having skipped the seventh grade when there were no other students in that class that year. Following graduation, Mary Ann attended Lincoln Christian College, where she met Roland (“Red”) Florence.  They were married on June 8, 1957 in the Bridgeview Christian Church.  He preceded her in death in April 2003.

As the wife of a Christian preacher, life was nomadic, relocating often as the church dictated. The family lived in both Amarillo and Kermit TX, Scottsdale AZ and Clearwater FL before settling down in Greenview.  In addition to being active in the Greenview Christian Church, Mary Ann worked for 32 years at Petefish-Skiles Bank.

After Red’s passing and her retirement, Mary Ann moved to Springfield where she led a quiet, simple life.  Like her mother, she was an accomplished seamstress.  She was a consummate keeper, organizer, list maker and rule follower.  She had a sly sense of humor and loved to laugh, often at herself.  She enjoyed shopping for bargains, rocking babies, all things purple, decorating and hosting family at Christmas time, watching Hallmark movies and crime dramas, doing word search puzzles, and partaking in her favorite guilty pleasures – Taco Bell and Dairy Queen.  Most of all, she thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by brothers-in-law Bob Florence, Vernon Janes and Ken Alexander, sister-in-law Virginia Smith and niece Debbie Smith.

She is survived by her son Doug (Susan) Florence and daughter Lisa Janssen, both of Springfield; four grandchildren, Wendy Underwood (fiancée, Rusty Hilst) of Greenview, Brad Janssen (significant other Natalie Teran) of Tucson AZ, Ryan (Hannah) Janssen of Springfield and Kaylee (Tyler) Britton of Petersburg; four great-grandchildren, Kendall Underwood, Hadley Britton, Ben Britton and Emersyn Janssen; three siblings, Donna Alexander of Atkinson NE, David Smith of DuQuoin, and Martha (Buddy) Ratliff of Shelbina MO; sister-in-law Mary Florence of Springfield, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 am on Monday, November 27 at Mott and Henning Funeral Home in Athens, Illinois, with memorial service to follow at 12:00 pm, Pastor Mike Nichols officiating.  Burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Greenview.

Memorial contributions can be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, 900 Cooper Street, Jackson, MI 49202, or to the Greenview Christian Church, 301 S. Alkire Street, Greenview, IL 62642.

Mott and Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Online condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.