Sara Jane Florence, 63, passed away June 27, 2019 at the Johnson City Medical Center. She was born at DePaul Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, to Wilma T. Florence and the late Joseph A. Florence, III. Her father was the pharmacist and owner of Florence Drug Co., located in the Ocean View area of Norfolk. Sara Jane attended Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk. She was a member of Ocean View Baptist Church. As a youth and teenager she was active in children’s ministry and youth mission programs. She loved to sing and sang in the church youth choir. In her early twenties Sara Jane moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she lived for 38 years. While living there she volunteered with the Red Cross and became proficient in sign language; staying active with friends and family. Sara Jane loved singing, listening to music, talking on the phone, and reading, especially the Bible. Sara Jane had a joyful life with her partner, Kevin Gregory. She was always blessed with a fun-loving personality and had an infectious, radiant smile. She moved to Gray, TN, two years ago to be closer to family when her health declined. The family is grateful for the care she received as a resident of Life Care Center of Gray. Sara Jane will be deeply missed by all.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas R. Florence. She is survived by her mother, Wilma T. Florence; her longtime friend and partner, Kevin Gregory; sisters: W. Ann Florence, Lea Florence and husband Geoffrey Hoare; brother, Dr. Joe Florence, IV and wife Rev. Kaye Florence; nieces and nephews: Heather M. Sheets, SSgt. John Mills (Kim), Nora Beauchamp (James), Gabriel Hoare (Liz Born), Maggie Roll (Les), Joseph Florence, V (Tess Wise), and Lea Carter Florence; great-nieces and nephews: Annabelle and Emmaline Beauchamp, Evan and Garrett Sheets, and Silas Roll.
A graveside service will be held 10:00 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia; with Rev. Rob Edwards and Rev. Kaye Florence officiating. She will be buried in Norfolk, beside her brother Tom. A service of Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, Jonesborough, Tennessee, with the Rev. Allen Huff officiating.