Florence Bolden Pickens

Florence Bolden Pickens was born May 28, 1930 in Sawyerville, Alabama. She was the youngest daughter and seventh child born to the union of Alexander Douglas Bolden and Hazel Brantley Bolden. Florence joined Springfield Baptist Church at an early age and later became a member of Salem Baptist Church in Greensboro, Alabama.

She attended Hale County Training School in Greensboro and continued her education at Stillman College and Alabama State University where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Following graduation, Florence taught in the Hale County School System for more than 20 years, with her longest tenure being at Moundville Elementary School in Moundville, Alabama.

In 1990 after having retired, Florence relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. She became a member of Lee Road Baptist Church and actively participated in its mission services including its Senior Center until her health began to decline. She later moved to Montgomery, Alabama where she lived until her death.

Florence will be remembered as loving, compassionate, loyal and the lifeline of her family. Whether in Alabama or Ohio, Florence’s home was a respite for her guests and all who entered. No one was allowed to leave her home without having partaken of her hospitality. Strangers may have entered but friends departed.

Florence was fiercely devoted to her family and willingly made personal sacrifices for their well-being. Within the family and close relations she was often referred to as “Florence Nightingale.” She was influential and pivotal in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately call her “Granny B.”

Florence’s earthly life ended peacefully at home in Montgomery on March 2, 2021. She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy three daughters and a son: Ruthie Dianne Orsborn, Montgomery, Alabama; Jean Ethel Pickens and Clara Louise Pickens Houston, Cleveland, Ohio; and Henry Bolden Pickens, Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Ethel Bolden Rhone (Simon), Greensboro, Alabama; a brother, Charles Brantley Bolden (Aretha), Cleveland, Ohio; five grandchildren, Shakira Jackson Brown, Richmond, Virginia; Johnathan Turner, Cleveland, Ohio; Florence Jackson Smith, Montgomery, Alabama; Robert Ian Jackson (Leah), Cleveland, Ohio; Curtis Houston, Cleveland, Ohio; and five great-grandchildren, Cierra Nicole Parks, Richmond, Virginia; Ethan Alexander Smith and Elijah Valentino Smith, Montgomery, Alabama; Parker Evelyn Mae Jackson and Evan Roberts Ward Jackson, Cleveland, Ohio; and many treasured nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.

She is predeceased by her father and mother; her husbands, Edward Lavane Tolbert, Henry Pickens, and Nathaniel Phillips Jr.; daughter, Edwina Lavane Turner (Johnathan); three sisters, Louise Hobson (Robert), Cota Lee Hobson (Gene) and Lottie Mae Nabers (Edgar); and three brothers, Alexander Douglas Bolden, Jr. (Gustavia), Rudolph Valentino Bolden (Ann), and Bernard Hoover Bolden