Florence Singeltary Medlin

Florence Singeltary Medlin, 98, of Beaumont, died peacefully at her home on Friday, April 4, 2025. She was blessed to have lived a long and fulfilling life surrounded by loving family, friends and caregivers. Florence was born in Beaumont, Texas on August 16,1926, to Ruth Syler Singeltary and Herbert Augustus Singeltary. After graduating from Beaumont High School, Florence attended Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, where she fondly remembered slipping out of the dorm to drink pink ladies in the French Quarter with roommates who became her dearest lifelong friends. After a year at Newcomb, Florence transferred to Louisiana State University, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Returning to Beaumont, she was employed in the accounting department of Magnolia Petroleum Co., now Exxon Mobil Corp. There she met and married her beloved husband, Richard P. Medlin, in 1950. They had 69 wonderful years together and three children. As Dick progressed in his career with Exxon Mobil, the family moved often between cities in New York, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. Their first move was to New York City, a very long car trip with two babies in the back seat. Ten moves were made while their children were growing up and several were made thereafter. In each of those places, a house was hurriedly acquired, the children were enrolled in schools and

activities, the family joined the local Methodist church, friends were made and volunteering commenced. Florence made it all happen with unwavering love and support for her family. In addition to making these moves, Florence and Dick loved to travel and made trips all over the country and the world. Florence especially enjoyed Italy and the coast of California.

Florence was an avid reader and thinker, with a special appreciation of poetry, literature, the New York Times, and the philosophy and history of religion. She loved the performing and visual arts, attending events and supporting arts organizations. She was a dedicated gardener, cook and book club member, as well as an active member of every community in which she lived, volunteering her time and resources to churches, schools, PEO, and other service organizations. Her guiding principles were love of family, loyalty to friends, faithfulness to her morals and kindness to others. She always listened with a sympathetic ear but refrained from offering unsolicited advice. Her quiet counsel was invaluable.

Above all, Florence was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, always devoted to her family. She will be remembered for her kindness, honesty, generosity, intelligence and courage. She was ever grateful for her life, and she will be greatly missed by those who love her.

Florence is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Felix P. Singeltary.

Survivors include daughters, Rose Ann Medlin and her husband, William E. Joor III, of Houston; and Mary Florence Wescoat and her husband, James, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; son, Dr. Richard P. Medlin, Jr. and his wife, Alison, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and grandchildren, Catherine Syler Joor and Ruth Lee Wescoat and her husband, Chris Cassidy.

The family gives special thanks to Florence’s caregivers, Joy Durgin, Lisa Sonnier, Pauline Richardson, Martha Jackson, Margaret Baltimore and Tahicia Levi, for their years of care and generous kindness.

The family requests, with gratitude and in lieu of flowers, that any memorial contribution be made to Some Other Place, 590 Center St., Beaumont, Texas 77701, First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Florence’s memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. A private interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Beaumont.