Althea Elaine Florence

On Monday, November 30, 1942, Ralph and Evelyn Garnett of Belize City gave birth to their beautiful daughter Althea Elaine. Every smile of their cuddly infant brought blissful relief from the daily news of World War-II, and the suffering caused by a hurricane that had just devastated Belize (formerly British Honduras). Althea grew up in a Belizean paradise called Gales Point where she enjoyed swimming in the waves and catching a variety of fish almost every day. Perhaps here is where she formed her daring, optimistic, and carefree spirit.

God also gave Althea a broad, genuine, beautiful smile, and as she grew it became a lifelong asset that made her lifelong friends at school, work, in the neighborhood, and at church. This smile soon captured the heart of young Maurice Elrington who married her and then found a job in Jamaica. She followed shortly and lived there for about eight years. To this marriage were born Maurice, Lindell, Darron, and Oral. At the end of that marriage, Althea moved to Los Angeles. In 1969 James Florence noticed her beautiful smile, fell in love, married her, and became the proud father of James (Jimmy) Florence Jr. Mr. Florence was a great husband and father until his passing about twenty years later.

Althea retired after working 38 years as a loving nurse, a caregiver, and an EKG Technician at the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City. She enjoyed many vacations that highlighted Rome, Florence, and France. Most of all she loved to cook and entertain her family and friends, and we have all tasted her delicious bread pudding and powder buns. She was patient, helpful, and kind beyond imagination, and generously hosted several wonderful birthday banquets.

Enough cannot be said of Althea’s passion for singing and how she blessed many congregations with her beautiful talented voice. She used every opportunity to improve her talent and studied spirituals under the late Dr. F. Fordham. We can still hear her bold rendition of Ride on King Jesus. From her youth, she was a dependable choir member and soloist in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and never passed an opportunity to sing for her Lord. She also faithfully supported the church with her time and finances.

Althea knew that she had done her best to raise her sons in the nurture and admonition of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by having them participate in the activities of Sabbath School, Worship, Pathfinders, and all the social activities of the church. She also knew that with God’s help, she had done her best to be a peaceful and productive Christian. By all testimonies from her sons, siblings, relatives, and friends, she will always live in our hearts as an inspiring example of a warm, kind, courageous, and loving Christian. We know that she will rise in glory because she trusted in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:25)

Althea is survived by her five sons, Maurice and his wife Danielle, Lindell and his wife Stacy, Darron and his wife Arnetta, Oral, James Jr. and his wife Kameila, her brother Ralph Garnett and his wife Jennifer, her sisters Shelmadine and her husband Allison Patten, Rose Davison, and Cherry Mae. 23 grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Event Infron:

Wake:

May 29th, 7pm

4041 W 59th Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90043

Internment: Rose Hills Cemetery

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA. 90601

Repast:

Living Hope SDA Church

650 W. 21st Street, Los Angeles, CA 9007