Florence “Flo” Elaine (Whiteside) Grandfield went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while surrounded in love on June 6, 2023, at the age of 82 years old.
Florence was born in Stettler, Alberta, Canada on July 23, 1940, to Arthur and Margaret Whiteside and was the third of 12 children. She lived an incredibly full and happy life. She spent her childhood in Edmonton and Stettler, Alberta with her cherished brothers and sisters on her family’s farm. She became her father’s right-hand man from a young age as they worked the farm together. It was this experience that was the foundation of her physical strength, which never left her even until the moment she entered glory. Her strength was a core part of who she was. It was unmatched by even the strongest of men. No matter what she did in life, no matter which pursuit, focus, or even ailment, her strength was relied upon, and every aspect of her life was impacted by it.
Florence married Maxwell Grandfield of Nipawin, Saskatchewan, and loved him dearly. He was her friend, confidant, and travel partner with whom she shared many decades preaching the gospel and leading countless souls to Christ. Her greatest delight was her many children and her grandchildren. They were truly her joy, and she felt absolute love toward each and every one of them. She was their cheerleader, comforter, and hero. She listened. She listened so well. Her kids were so proud to belong to her and she made each and every one feel special.
Florence was a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, a nurse, a painter, a midwife, and a member of the Air Force. She was the ultimate MacGyver, and someone to look up to and learn from. She was someone to admire and want to model, but most importantly, she was a follower of Christ. In her life, Florence set an example of what it means to be Christ-like. She was a true reflection of Christ in her love for others (especially the underdog). Her compassion, her sweetness, her laughter, her joy, her understanding, her kindness, her forgiving heart, her quiet nature, her ability to see the hearts of people rather than their flaws and her ability to relationship without judgment were some of the most beautiful things about her. Just sitting in her presence brought a feeling of peace. She truly left a glorious legacy.
Florence is preceded in death by her best friend and loving husband Maxwell Grandfield, her parents Arthur and Margaret Whiteside, her sisters Ruth Furseth and Elizabeth “Betty-Anne” Whiteside, and her brother Edward “Ed” Whiteside.
Florence is survived by her beloved children Laura, Robert (Marg), Craig, Angela, Virgil (Jeannie), Joel (Angel), Virginia (Greg), Jonathan (Teri), Veronica (Tom), Tamara (James), Elizabeth (Sean), Rachel, Suzanne’ (Daniel), thirty-seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and her precious brothers and sisters, whom she loved dearly: Evelyn, Grace (John), Linda (Don), Mary (Bob), Eunice (Erv), Jim (Lori), Ernest (Kathy), and Lois. As well as, her brother-in-law Paul Furseth, her sisters-in-laws Penny Grandfield and Connie Whiteside, her co-mother-in-law, Kathy Tripp, and dozens of nieces and nephews, precious friends, “adopted” grandchildren, brothers and sisters in the lord, and hundreds of babies whom she welcomed into the world through her ministry of midwifery.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 24 at 10:00 am at Living Hope Baptist Church, 6305 Eagle Way, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. 270-885-7276 livinghopebc.org
