Florence Seward

FLORENCE ELIZABETH SEWARD, 85, passed away at her home in Harrisonville, Missouri, on December 10, 2012. Florence was born on May 8, 1927, in Worland, Missouri to John Jenkins and Estelle Waggoner Jenkins. Florence was the youngest of seventeen children. Her mother was a homemaker and her father worked as a coal miner. She grew up in Pleasanton, Kansas a fun-loving girl with red hair and a happy disposition.
Florence loved children and was a phenomenal mother and grandmother. Motherhood was her true calling and she spent her lifetime caring for her children and grandchildren. She loved taking her children and grandchildren fishing and camping and talked often of the many happy and comical memories they made together on their adventures. She enjoyed spending time with her family and could be found teaching her family about everything from gardening and canning to embroidery and crocheting for as long as she was able.
Florence had a deep love of learning and spent much of her time reading. She loved to share her knowledge and experience with those around her. She often said it was a shame if you didn’t learn something new every day. Florence had a witty sense of humor that she shared with her friends and family. That sense of humor served her well, even in her final days. She even had a joking relationship with her physician, Dr. Aaron Travis.
Florence is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which she joined in 1977. She served in many church assignments and did a great deal of genealogical work for her family as well as others. She was sealed to Wesley Seward for time and all eternity on September 11, 1993 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Florence is survived by her children, John P. Finn, III (Cynthia); David L. Finn, Stephen L. Johnson, Sr., Heidi M. Thompson (Curt); Charlotte J. Clark (Jerry); and Hugh F. Seward. Florence also had two grown step children, Myrle Seward Riley and Phil Seward. Florence was blessed with 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sixteen siblings, her husband, Wesley, her daughter, Patricia, step-children, Myrle and Phil, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Florence is also survived by her beloved pet, Molly, who has been her constant companion for the last six years.
Services were held Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 451 MO 150, Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Graveside services were held Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Ft. Scott National Cemetery, Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Mercy NICU.
Special thanks to Dr. Aaron Travis, Grace Hospice, Doris McKee and Doris Ring, her very special friends, and the members of the Harrisonville Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who blessed her with their love, kindness and service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.