Flora Mae Underwood

Posted on September 18, 2019

Flora Mae Underwood was born on June 22, 1930, in Havana, to the Rev. Hardie Mamon Underwood and Addie Hardnett. She was the tenth child of their union. She peacefully transitioned on Sept. 13, 2019, in Perry.

Her older sister, Ethel, moved her and her younger siblings to Perry in 1937 when she was seven years old. Flora was enrolled in primary school at Jerkins High School until 1946, leaving to attend Sunlight School of Beauty Culture in Tampa. She completed beauty school in 1947 and returned to Perry to complete her high school education at Jerkins, graduating in 1950.

At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ at Stewart Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Perry where she was united in holy matrimony to Dave Stallworth on Sept. 2, 1950. They had five children to this union. Later, the family moved from Perry to Melbourne, where she found her true church home at Greater Faith Temple Church of God in Christ.

Flora was very active in the choir, singing lead soprano in many choir recordings and other church activities. She was a true Mother of COGIC. During her life she held many jobs and retired from Harris Corporation Semiconductor Palm Bay after 25 years of service.

Flora was preceded in death by: her parents. Hardie M. and Addie Underwood Sr.; husband, Dave Stallworth; sisters, Ethel Penn, Alberta Howard, Eddie Lee McQueen, Eloise Wilson, Josephine Hinson; brothers, Willie Clefort Underwood, Hardie M. Underwood Jr. and Frank Henry Underwood; grandson, Benjia L. Jenkins; and great-grandson, Charlie L. “Beenie” Hall Jr.

Flora is survived by: sister, Marie Phillips of Burlington, N.J.; and brother, Theodore R. Underwood (Elouise) of Tampa. Her memory will forever be cherished in the lives of her five children: son, William D. Stallworth of Satellite Beach; daughters, Daveda G. Jenkins of Melbourne, Lindora Stallworth and Ethel Stallworth of Perry and Flora C. Stallworth of Palm Bay; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m., at Trinity Funeral Home, 1159 Hwy 98 West, in Perry.Interment arrangements are under the direction of Buggs Funeral Home, 2701 S. Harbor City Blvd., in Melbourne.