Florence Esther Newman

May 15, 1926 – January 4, 2024

Florence Esther Terra Newman was born May 15, 1926 to Anna Silveria Terra of Alamo, CA and Manuel Terra of Pico, Azores Islands, in Visalia, California.

Florence grew up in Orosi, California where she was active in her church as a youth group leader. She played the piano, violin and was an accomplished singer. She also had the honor of being Miss Tulare County Soprano three years in a row. She graduated from Orosi High School in 1945.

In 1946 she met and married Bennie Newman and they settled in Stockton, California where she lived for 77 years. They had two children; a daughter, Carolyn Ann, born in 1947, and a son, Richard Benny, born in 1948.

In 1980, following the deaths of their son and daughter-in-law, Florence and Bennie adopted and lovingly raised granddaughters, Julie Kim (5 yrs.) and Gina Ann Newman (21 mths.).

Florence lived the last year of her life at Kingston Bay Senior Living in Fresno, California where she passed away peacefully at the age of 97 years and 8 months.

Florence was predeceased by her first husband of 50 years, Bennie Newman, her second husband of 5 years, James Weldon, her sisters Helen Bates, June Miller and Geneva Bell, her son, Richard Newman, daughter-in-law, Tuyet Pham Newman, and grandson, Kenneth Phillips.

Florence is survived by her loving daughter, Carolyn Newman, granddaughters; Julie Newman Fodor (Alex Fodor), Gina Newman (Cuco Rodriguez) and Jessica Lockheart, grandsons; Tome Newman (Sandy Holthaus Newman) and Tom Byrd, great-grandchildren; Sydney Newman, Kelsey Newman Howard (Noah), Gabriella Adame, Sophia and Adrian Rodriguez and Ella and Violet Fodor, great-great granddaughter, Shania Howard and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Florence will be held from 11:00AM-12:00PM, Tuesday, January 16, 2024 followed by funeral service at Dopkins Funeral Chapel, 189 South J Street, Dinuba, CA 93618. Immediately following the funeral service will be a graveside service and interment at Smith Mountain Cemetery, 42088 Road 100, Dinuba, CA 93618. Celebration of Life reception immediately following at The Rose Event Venue, 289 W. Tulare Street, Dinuba, CA 93618.