Laura "Jean" Jean (Sence) Faulkner

Laura Jean Faulkner, 98, of Winter Haven, Florida and formerly of Kokomo passed away Wednesday, August 28th at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, FL. She was born March 20th, 1921 in Logansport, IN to Roy C. and Osa May (Salmons) Sence. She married Thomas Evan Faulkner on May 31st, 1941 in Hattiesburg, MS while he was stationed at Camp Shelby. Tom preceded her in death in 1986. Jean graduated from Kokomo High School and Indiana Business College in 1938. After business college she started working at Kokomo Gas & Fuel where she held various administrate roles before being elected Corporate Secretary in 1971. She retired in 1983 after 44 years of service. During her life in Kokomo, Jean was involved in the local chapter of Altrusa International, a professional women’s service organization, eventually serving as chapter president. Jean also enjoyed playing cards and was in numerous bridge and canasta groups, and she enjoyed collecting recipes and cooking for her family and friends. She was a lifelong member of the Union Street Friends/First Friends Meeting church. Jean and Tom moved to Winter Haven in 1983, where she enjoyed visiting Cypress Gardens with family and friends who visited, growing African Violets, going to dinner and shows with their friends, and continuing to play bridge. She was a very active member of the Winter Haven Bridge Club. While as a member of the club she served in various roles, including director, and achieved the status of Silver Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League, an accomplishment of which she was very proud. Jean is survived by her two sons, Thomas and wife Jeannine of Winter Haven, James and wife Colleen of Jefferson City, MO; four grandchildren, Kim (Mike) Mayer, Karen (Nate) Sanburn, Shelby Faulkner and Samuel Faulkner; two step-grandchildren, Amber Pyle and Wade Pyle; seven great-grandchildren, Logan (Catherine) Sanburn, Zach Collier, Chandler (Katelyn) Sanburn, Mackenzie Sanburn, Ty Mayer, Oakley Pyle & Wyatt Pyle; one brother, Richard (Encar) Sence of Casselberry, FL.; and five nephews and eight nieces all of whom she loved and cherished very much. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister, Margie (Lee) Miller. Family will receive friends Friday, September 6th from 10am – 12pm at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will be immediately following also at Sunset Memory Garden; burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, FL. https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/GSHGeneralDonation