Florence Elizabeth Rowland Smith Obituary (1924

On Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Mrs. Florence Elizabeth Rowland Smith of Midlothian, Virginia, formerly of Durham, North Carolina, peacefully passed into eternal rest at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Drs. C. Warren and Johnnye Smith Massenburg. She was born August 25, 1924 in Durham, North Carolina, the youngest daughter of the late John Henry Rowland and Victoria Blackwell Rowland Hudson, and stepdaughter of the late Clarence Dudley Hudson. She was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Cle Rowland; two stepbrothers, Luther D. Hudson and Haskell L. Hudson; and two stepsisters, Mary Bell Hudson and Sadie Hudson Leverette. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, where she was a member for over 55 years. During the past three years, she has attended Shiloh Baptist Church, Blackstone, Virginia, and First Baptist Church, Midlothian, Virginia, where her son-in-law, Dr. C. Warren Massenburg is senior pastor. She was employed by the Duke University Medical Center for more that 40 years as a senior administrator in sterile processing and surgical nurse in orthopedic surgery. While at Duke, where she was affectionately known as "Flo", she touched the lives of many and aided in the training of many of the orthopedic residents. Celebrating the memory of her life and those who will most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her personality and strength of her character are three devoted daughters, Mrs. Deborah S. Johnson of Blackstone, Va., Mrs. Jacquelyn S. Cooper of Oxford, N.C., and Dr. Johnnye S. Massenburg of Midlothian, Va.; three sons-in-law, Deacon Ronald Johnson, Mr. Perry Cooper and devoted, Dr. C. Warren Massenburg; seven grandchildren, Charles Norman Jr., whom she raised (Marshelle), Reginald Johnson, Vikki Alexander, Rhondye Johnson, Florence Nicole Harris (Leon), Reather Massenburg and Jennifer Massenburg; 11 great-grandchildren, 32 nieces and nephews; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Wilella Rowland of Chicago, Ill.; stepsister, Mrs. Hazel Russell of Durham, N.C.; also a host of cousins, relatives and friends, including Mrs. Shirley Taylor and Naomi Flowers, both of Durham, N.C. She is also survived by Ms. Virginia Watkins, Rev. Joyce Burford and Mrs. Dorothy Turner, who were friends and special caregivers; also, the caring staff of the South Richmond Adult Daycare Center, Hospice of Central Virginia and Trustee Jesse Johnson, former son-in-law. Remains rest at the Mimms Funeral Home, 19th and Hull Sts. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 22, 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va. Dr. C. Warren Massenburg officiating. Interment will be on Tuesday, December 23, in Durham, N.C. Remains will rest in church one hour prior to service.