Florence Higley

Florence Pauline Higley, age 68, died July 5, 2010. Florence was born May 16, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to Richard and Katherine Higley. She graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia, Michigan, and later the University of Michigan in 1964. She went on to complete a Masters of Social Work. She moved to Grand Rapids in 1978 and worked as a social worker in the Grand Rapids Public Schools until her retirement in 2006. Florence was a life long Human and Civil Rights activist and community organizer and was heavily involved in Barack Obama's recent Presidential campaign. Known to many as Mama Flo she touched the lives of numerous people. Florence is survived by Gail Langlois and her son, Richard, Nathan and Eiisha Langlois and their children, Maia and Christian; her sister, Phillis and Bill Copeland; and mother, Katherine Higley. She was proceeded in death by her father, Richard Higley. In lieu of flowers, Florence requested donations be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center. A gathering of family, friends and P.O.E.T.S. will be held at her home Friday, July 9, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Florence Higley, please visit our flower store.