Florence Blush Frederick of Guntown, Mississippi went to meet her personal LORD and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday March 19, 2025 one day past her 86th birthday. She was born March 18, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana as the oldest child of Richard and Edith Ramke Blush. The Blush family lived in New Orleans until she was eight years old when they moved to the sleepy little township of Edwards, Mississippi. Florence’s parents were faithful members of Edwards Baptist Church and it was there at the age of twelve that she made her profession of faith. When she was a young teenager, she felt God was calling her to be an international missionary. She graduated from Edwards High School in 1957 and from Mississippi College in 1960.
It was during her time at Mississippi College that she met the love of her life Lewis Wayne Frederick, a young man who was just beginning in the ministry. On August 17, 1960, they were married in the same church where she had earlier made her profession of faith. After a short two-week honeymoon, they moved to New Orleans so that he could attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. During their first year there she taught Language Arts to inner-city 7th and 8th grade students, after which she proclaimed that she would dig ditches before she ever again taught school. It was during this time, that Wayne and Florence began their family with the birth of daughters Edith in 1962 and Amy in 1963.
Upon completion of his seminary studies, they moved to Northeast Mississippi where he pastored Camp Creek Baptist Church. It was there in 1965, that they welcomed their third daughter Iris. As the years passed on Wayne and Florence felt that they were both called to be foreign missionaries, so in December 1969 they were appointed to Guadeloupe in the French West Indies. They arrived on the mission field in May 1970, and spent the next several years learning a new language and culture as they planted new churches. Their youngest daughter Jeanne was born in 1972 during their first term on the mission field in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After serving two terms in the on the mission field, they took a leave of absence and returned home so that their daughters could finish high school and college. During their leave from the International Mission Board, Wayne served as pastor of Jericho Baptist Church in Baldwyn. In March 1991, they returned to the international mission field serving in Europe until their retirement in January 2000. After retirement, Wayne served as interim pastor for several churches in Northeast Mississippi.
Florence faithfully followed her husband all over the world serving as his editor, typist, pianist, cook, confidant, and co-worker in ministry. She was an incredible seamstress whose skills were well used in the clothing of herself and four daughters. A prayer warrior, her petitions have impacted the lives of her family and friends all over the world. She enjoyed teaching other women how to study and dig deep into God’s word.
Funeral services will be held at Camp Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, March 23, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.with Bro. Chad Higgins officiating. Burial will be in Camp Creek Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-four years, Lewis Wayne Frederick of Guntown, MS, daughters Edith Wilhite, of Blue Springs, MS, Amy Griffin (Eric) of Clayton NC, Iris Horne (Steve), of Oxford, MS and Jeanne Curry (David) of Midlothian TX.
Grandchildren: Matt Johnson, Jamie Wilhite, Marigrace Wilhite, Noelle Griffin, Danielle Haley, Joshua Griffin, Stephenie Horne, Sarah Horne, Hollyann Campbell, Averie Hardy, Emma Pruitt and Ethan Curry along with 9 great-grandchildren; Brothers: Richard K. Blush Jr (Fay) of Vicksburg, MS and Herbert Blush (Gloria) of Yazoo City, MS;Life-time best friend, and sister equivalent Carolyn Woodman of Petal, MS.
She was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Edith Blush along with a baby brother Ernest Blush.
Visitation will be held at Waters Funeral Home on Saturday evening from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. There will be no visitation at the church prior to the service on Sunday.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family @ www.watersfuneralservice.com
