Florence L. (Stargell) Jefferson

Florence L. (Stargell) Jefferson, 82 year old Hephzibah, Georgia resident and former Earlsboro resident passed from this life April 11, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia.  She was born June 15, 1933 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma to parents Ruth (Jackson) Stargell and Elbert Nathaniel Stargell Sr. Florence attended Douglas Elementary School in Earlsboro, Dunbar High School in Shawnee and Shawnee High School, where she was the class Valedictorian. Florence married Henry Lee Brannon and to this marriage was born her first child, John Henry Brannon Jr.  The family lived in California for a time before returning to the Earlsboro area in 1955.  Florence later married Rufus Stevenson Jr. and to that marriage four children were born, Anthony Stevenson, Lavoy Stevenson, Donald Ray Stevenson and their baby girl, Loweta Stevenson.  Florence moved to Norman, Oklahoma where she owned and operated a licensed Home Child Daycare for 12 years.  Florence then moved to Hephzibah, Georgia in 1996.  There she owned and operated her own Home Health Care for Adults that she started in 1996 and worked until her final days. Florence had a passion for cooking and entertaining and was “The Hostess with the Mostess.” Florence actually had several aliases lovingly known by many, “OG” original grandmother, “Sweet Pea Sr.” and “Toot-N-Ann.” Florence loved animals, fishing, flowers, she never met a stranger, she was a woman of faith and she was a peace maker.  Her siblings often looked to her as a mother figure and she would often be on task to keep them in line. Florence through her 82 years would see many of her family transition to Heaven.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth (Jackson) Stargell Jiles and Elbert Stargell Sr; by her first husband, Henry Lee Brannon; by her second husband, Rufus Stevenson Jr; by her four sons, Anthony Stevenson, Donald Ray Stevenson, John Henry Brannon Jr, and Lavoy Stevenson; by six siblings, Ruthie Stargell, Ruthie Lee Stargell Nash, Cloteen Stargell, Vangeline Stargell, Elbert Nathaniel Stargell Jr, and Dwight Douglas Stargell.  Although Florence experienced losing many close family, she kept the faith and was a model to the rest of her family that life is worth living. Florence leaves to cherish her many memories one daughter, Loweta Stevenson of Hephzibah, Georgia; five sisters, ElMarie Coleman of Norman, Oklahoma, Merlene Johnson of Norman, Oklahoma, Carrol Jean Napoleon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jeanine Duncan of Des Moines, Iowa, Phyl Denise Hutchinson of Newark, Texas; Florence’s best friend and son-in-law, Clarence “Sweet Pea” Johnson Jr of North Augusta, South Carolina; God daughter, Ramona Harding of Hephzibah, Georgia; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of other family and dear friends. Florence loved her daughter, Loweta and her grandchildren with all of her heart.  She would never say good bye, she would always say “Toot-a-loo.” Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma.  Interment will follow at Earlsboro Cemetery in Earlsboro, Oklahoma.  Pastor Richard H. Gains will officiate the service. Casket Bearers will be: (Grandsons) Tyran Ray Napoleon, Adrian Permetter, Rakee Stevenson, (Nephews) Troy Napoleon and Tracy Napoleon. Honorary Bearer will be (Grandson) Walter Lee Morgan IV. Flower Girls will be: (Nieces) Vonda McCloud, Shevetta Napoleon, Tammy Gunn, Shante Nash, Tamiko Givens, and Cristie Stevenson. Honorary Flower Girl will be (Granddaughter) Latisha L. Morgan. Funeral services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Until we meet again in Heaven… “Toot-a-loo” we love you. Funeral Information: April 23, 2016, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868