Florence Jocella Stevens

Florence Jocella Stevens

Fairfield

Florence Jocella Stevens, age 99, resident of Fairfield, Iowa, and daughter of United States citizens, Francis and Mildred Brown, was born September 16, 1923 in Cottam, Ontario, Canada. Florence moved from her Detroit, Michigan, home with her sister-in-law, Geraldine Stevens to Fairfield in 2000 where she bought a home and resided at 301 N. 6th Street, Fairfield, Iowa.

Florence died peacefully in her sleep among friends and family while in Hospice care at Jefferson County Health Center in the early hours of October 22, 2022. Her family and those who loved Florence will miss her beautiful presence and kind, generous heart. We pray for the angels of heaven to lift her up to God’s glory in everlasting peace.

Florence was a member of St. Gabriel All Angels Church, Fairfield, Iowa. There was a memorial service for Florence at the church Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and afterwards, a community gathering in the church basement for cake and tea. If you were unable to attend the memorial service, you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrsbXKkBQt4

Florence is survived by her daughters Judy Stevens of Fairfield, Iowa, and Rosalind Stevens of O’Fallon, Illinois, granddaughter Kimberly Stevens of Shipshewana, Indiana, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Florence survived her husband Robert Stevens of Detroit, Michigan and her son Robert Larry Stevens of Detroit, Michigan.

On May 28, 2023 many friends and family attended a graveside memorial service and interment of her ashes and the ashes of her son, Robert Larry (1947-2019), in the family burial plot at Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, where they joined Florence’s husband Robert (1917-1994), mother-in-law-Josephine (1895-1986) and sister-in-law Geraldine (1923-2020). Afterwards, there was a river cruise celebration of Florence and Larry’s life at Portofino on the River, Wyandotte, Michigan.

The last of five siblings Francis, Vera, John, and Kenneth, Florence grew up during the Great Depression when the need for family resourcefulness gave her an appreciation for do-it-yourself crafts and skills in sewing, gardening, canning, and cooking. During WWII, she joined the war effort making airplane parts on an assembly line at General Motors, Detroit, Michigan. After the war, the troops returned to the workforce. She enrolled in beauty school and became a licensed beautician.

Florence was an active member of the Michigan Gem and Mineral Society. With an eye for beauty and passion for crafts, the colors and textures of rocks and minerals inspired her to create beautiful wire wrap jewelry and gem trees. In recognition of her skill as a wire artist, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Lansing displays one of her gem trees made entirely from Michigan rocks and minerals.

Florence brought her passion for geology to Fairfield in 2000, where she was an avid learner from other members of the Sac & Fox Lapidary Club, as well as a generous teacher of wire-wrap techniques and gem tree making at the Jefferson County Nature Center. She attended Fairfield craft fairs to sell her wire art. Many Fairfielders, friends, and family now own one of her beautiful creations and have a memory of her beautiful soul. Rest in Peace, dearest Florence, you will be missed but not forgotten.