Florence Moutry is pictured with one of her three daughters, Josephine Hill at a recent birthday celebration held for her 90th birthday which was on August 16. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)
A Celebration of Life service for Florence Moutry was held on Sept. 15, 2012 at the Progressive Baptist Church. Moutry passed on Thursday, Sept. 6 at the age of 90 years-old.
A long time Milwaukeean, she was born however in the small Arkansas town of Sherrill to James and Alice (Lockett) Plunkett. She had one sibling, Alvania.
Florence was united in holy matrimony on February 9, 1941 with Robert Moutry. In 1948, the family relocated to Milwaukee, WI. Their union blessed them with eight children.
Florence was a very creative and talented cook, honing her skills by working for several Jewish catering companies. She catered at various Jewish Temples and later gained employment at the old St. Anthony’s Hospital as a dietitian. While working at the hospital her down home cooking fed many doctors, judges, prosecutors and courthouse personnel. Many times, they would call over to St. Anthony’s from the courthouse and ask, “Is Mrs. Moutry cooking today?” If the answer was yes, they’s line up for her food.
After retiring, Florence was not one to sit still. For many years, she volunteered with the Interfaith Foster Grandparent Program and served as a foster grandparent at St. Amelian’s Residential Treatment Center. Her last volunteer position was at Day Care Centers of American where she would read to and care for infants and toddlers.
She also loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Robert: her parents, James and Alice Plunkett; her sister, Alvania (Plunkett) Hockenhull; and two children, Sharron and Terrance.
She leaves behind, her daughters, Cleo Jenkins, Josephine Hill and Silverene Ward; sons, Herman, Robert Jr. and Gerald of Mankato, MN; special niece, Florine (Fred Norris) Cherry; special nephew, Alvin (Toni) Hockenhull of Oakley, CA; daughterin- law, Patrice Lofton Moutry; grandchildren, Annette (Ranjith) Perera, Kevin (Mary) Moutry, Kelli Macon, Dany Hill, Greer Jenkins of Tampa, FL, Greta (Richard) Held, Kenneth C. Hill, Lia Thomas of Tampa FL, Terena (Harvey) Robbins, Robert Johnson, Kristin Jeter of Minneapolis, MN, Kyle Jenkins, Corey Allen, Nakesha Moutry of Hot Springs, AR, Andrew Ward III of Tampa FL and Terrance Moutry, Jr.; 33 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.