FLORENCE MAE (Johnson) STEWART departed this life at the Winchester Memorial Hospital in Winchester, Virginia, after a long illness, at the age of 82. She resided in Winchester, Virginia with the love of her life – her husband, Osborne Stewart, whom she married 29 years ago.

Florence was born in Washington, DC on August 28, 1929 to the late Bessie Marie Roberts and the late Lewis Virgil Johnson, Sr. Florence attended school – in the DC Public Schools. To help her family; she had to drop out of school in the eleventh grade.
She later moved to Millwood, Virginia to be near her family; then moved to Winchester after marrying Osborne. While residing in Winchester, Florence decided to join the Winchester Police Academy, and became a strong advocate in partaking in the Neighborhood Watch. To keep children, teens and often the elderly often out of trouble – Florence would often give them a warning to stay out of trouble. Because of her love for young people, Florence took on several babysitting jobs. Teens and young adults just loved being around her because she was so non-judgmental.


Those that knew Florence – knew that she loved to cook, entertain, show off her food displays – and was truly the life of many get-togethers. Her passion for cooking captured her numerous catering engagements - both public and private. When her health began to fail, her doctor told Florence to stop drinking sodas. Her niece went to see her one day and saw a tub of soda cans at her residence. The niece asked her Aunt Florence - didn't the doctor tell you to stop drinking soda? Florence, with her constant humor, responded: "he told me to stop drinking sodas, he didn't say Pepsi". A few months ago, her older Sister, Edna went to check on her – and Florence jokingly said: "here comes the boss lady". Florence had a great love for her family, especially her nieces and nephews – and we all knew that she loved to introduce us to friends. Having no children of her own, Florence decided to get a dog – a black poodle dog that she often treated like a doll-baby, painting her nails and putting bows in her hair. Her poodle dog's name was Lilly – the other love of her life. When Lilly passed a couple of years ago, it literally broke Florence's heart.
Florence latest employer was Wal-Mart; she was their senior "greeter"; this was a job she truly loved, as Florence loved people. Prior employers included Gabriel Brothers as a cashier and stocker; and she was a cook for the Glazier Family and the John D. Flynn family.
Florence had a green thumb and loved plants and flowers, and would often pinch off a piece of yours – to start hers. Florence also collected frog ornaments – thus she has a frog collection. In addition to her family, Florence had a love for her church, and would often brag on Mt. Carmel. Prior to her health failing, she sung in the church choir and attended when she was able.


Florence leaves to mourn - her husband, Osborne Stewart, of Winchester; her sister, Edna Marshall of Boyce, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Bessie Johnson of Front Royal, Virginia; her elderly Aunt Agnes Howard, of Baltimore, Maryland and several nieces, nephews and cousins.


Florence's Mother, the late Bessie Roberts, her father, the late Lewis Virgil Johnson, Sr., her step-Father, the late Rev. Charlie Roberts, her sister, the late Elsie Williams and her brother, the late, Lewis Johnson, Jr. preceded her in death.


The family will truly miss Florence's kind spirit; we will remember her silver-hair, and her love for life and her love for people. We looked at her as – though 82, a young diva – our Aunt Florence!!!

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be 12:00 noon January 5, 2011 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, Virginia with Pastor Gilbert M. Mack, Jr.

Family will received friends one hour before service.

Contributions may be sent to:

Florence M. Stewart Burial Fund
c/o Cartwright Funeral Home
232 East Fairfax Lane
Winchester, Virginia 22601