MEBANE - Benjamin "Ben" Michael Florence, 33, died June 6, 2012 at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern due to sudden illness.He was a member of the State Board of Respiratory Therapists and Florence Memorial Baptist Church in Mebane. His interests included fishing, his father's 55 Chevy, spending time with his nieces and nephews and the outdoors. He is preceded in death by his father, Mike Florence, his maternal grandparents, Lilly and Charlie Berry, and paternal grandfather Rev. James Florence Sr.
Ben is survived by his mother, Sue Florence of New Bern; paternal grandmother, Margaret Florence of Mebane; one sister, Emily Florence and her fiancé' Jessie Hale; nieces and nephews, Lillian, Codie and Colton Speight and Brandon Hale of New Bern; and his special longtime friend, Melissa McLawhorn.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, June 8, 2012 at Cotten Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Florence Memorial Baptist Church in Mebane. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Christian Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the
, 3801 Lake Boone Trail, Ste. 190, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Online condolences may be made to the Florence family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.
