October 1, 2026
STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. — Members of First Baptist Church of Stockbridge gathered April 25 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Florence Love, a longtime church member whose century of faithful service, hospitality, and prayer has impacted generations of family members, neighbors, and fellow believers.
Love's daughter, Terri Butcher, the retired executive director of the Walton County Christian Learning Center and wife of Butch Butcher, a former pastor and Georgia Baptist missionary, stated, “The fruit of the Spirit (faith, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control) are the characteristics that perfectly distinguish our mother’s faith.”
The centenarian, born on April 25, 1926, in Stockbridge, was the youngest of nine children. Her childhood years were challenging as she grew up during the hardships of the Great Depression
Florence Phillips married James Robert (Bill) Love on August 9, 1943. They had six children (Jane, Kathryn, Mike, Tony, Kenny and Terri). The family has grown through the years with 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. After almost 54 years of marriage, Bill Love died on June 8, 1997.
Florence was saved and baptized as a child at First Baptist Church in Stockbridge. She loved music and often sang solos in church as a child. She also helped her mother gather flowers and decorate the sanctuary. Even though they were poor, they always found a way to help those who were in need.
Terri testifies, “Our mother is a loving, caring, and giving 'Mom' and 'Memama' to her family. She is a great cook, homemaker, seamstress, and gardener. There is almost nothing she could not sew, and with her ‘green thumb’ she could make anything grow. She made each one of us think that we were her favorite. She has given herself to her family wholeheartedly. She prays for us, and she has shown us what it is like to live and love like Jesus."
In 1958, Bill Love got a job with the railroad, and the family moved to Savannah. They united with the Morningside Baptist Church and were deeply involved in that fellowship of believers. Florence taught children in Sunday School and was involved in the Woman’s Missionary Union.
The family moved back to Stockbridge in 1969, and the family reconnected with First Baptist Church. Throughout all her years Florence Love was a member of only two churches, Morningside Church and First Baptist Church Stockbridge.
“She loves her Sunday School class – the Joy Class,” Terri explained, “and as long as she was able to attend, she hosted class meetings and luncheons. She cooked on the hospitality and bereavement team. She and Daddy sang with the Young at Hearts Choir and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship that provided. She loved her pastors, ministers of music, and student ministers, and she was faithful to pray for them and their families. She also encouraged them with notes, homemade crafts, and special culinary treats.
Our mother was always a stay-at-home mom, and did not work outside the home until our daddy got very sick and was in and out of the hospital and out of work for several years. She went to work at a menial labor job under very hard conditions. She sewed and baked for people and did whatever it took to keep our family together. She has always loved the Lord, and her love for our father was exemplary."
Florence Love’s life has been tested with heartbreaking challenges. On November 13, 2024, her son, Kenny, went home to be with the Lord. And the death of her sons-in-love, Wilson Credle and Jimmie Bonner, also brought great sorrow to her heart, but her faith and the assurance that she would see him again one day sustained her and she found that God’s grace is sufficient for the trials of life.
Florence is devoted to the Word of God, and her most cherished Bible passages are John 3:16, Psalm 23 and Psalm 100.
Terri added, “Up until two years ago, when Mom broke her leg and had surgery, she lived independently in her home and maintained her garden of flowers and vegetables. When new neighbors moved into her cul-de-sac, she made them a sweet potato pie, took it to their house, introduced herself, and invited them to church. She still lives in her home with the constant care of her loving family and wonderful caregivers.
“There are many things I can say about my mom, but she is Christlike, humble, loving, giving, brilliant, talented, caring, and beautiful. She is the epitome of every verse in Proverbs 31:10-31."
On Saturday, April 25, the First Baptist Church of Stockbridge hosted a centennial celebration party for Florence. It was a wonderful occasion with a large crowd including family, church friends, and neighbors who enjoyed great food and fellowship. Those gathered acknowledged her long and significant life by sharing photos recalling precious memories.
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