Flora Irene Prentice

Mrs. Flora Irene Smith Prentice, age 91, wife of 75 years to Cecil H. Prentice, Sr., passed to Jesus and our heavenly father on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Although most recently a 30 year resident of Ocean Springs, Mrs. Prentice formerly lived several years in Gulfport, MS., where she and her family moved from their original home in North Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Recy Smith and Martha Hayes Smith, her son, Cecil H. Prentice, Jr., sister, Jewel McKee, brother, Comer Smith. Survivors include her husband, Cecil Prentice, baby sister, Katie Smith, older brother, Floyd Smith, younger brother, Buell Smith, and many nieces and nephews. Her absence from this earth will be greatly felt by those who called her "Mema": grandsons, Douglas C. Prentice and fiancee Brandy Velez and Bud Mills and wife Elizabeth, granddaughter, Terri Mendoza, and great-grandchildren, Sharley, Deven and Aaron. Mrs. Prentice, a member of the First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs since 1987, spent many of her younger years in service to the church, attended yearly Camp Meetings and always put others' needs before her own. Visitation will be on Monday, June 2, 2008, from 1-2 PM, with a 2 PM church service , all at the New Canaan Baptist Church in Arab, Alabama. Burial will follow in the New Canaan Baptist Cemetery in Arab. Her family would like to offer special thanks to the caring support of friends at St. Paul UMC and Crossroads Church. Their prayers and visits during her care were heartwarming and uplifting. Thanks also to Hospice of Light and OSH 3rd floor staff for helping us ensure her last days were comfortable. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.