Florence Preston Root

Florence Preston Root, 89, peacefully slipped into her eternal rest December 4, 2015. Florence was born January 24, 1926 in Glenbar (Pima), Arizona. She was the 7th of 9 children born to William and Phyllis Preston. Florence attended both elementary and high school in Pima Arizona. She attended the Gila College for 1 year. It was there she met the love of her life, Romeo Robert (Bob) Root. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on December 17, 1946. Following Bob’s graduation from pharmacy school in Tucson, Bob and Florence moved to Phoenix and in 1952 opened the Sun Drug pharmacy. In 1971, they moved their home to Tempe where they lived until Bob passed away September 1, 1982. Florence lived in Ahwatukee for 5 years until she moved back to Tempe where she resided at the time of her passing. Florence is survived by all of her 8 children: Marilyn (Dan) Whitmore; Max (Julaine) Root; Janet (Bob) Plowman; Shelley (Steve) Lepetich; Preston (Tina) Root; Bradley (Michelle) Root; Julie (Mike) Jarman; Lori (Dean) Athmer; 30 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Florence was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many calllings including, Primary President, Temple worker and a Family history center missionary. She was currently serving as a Primary teacher in her ward. Her greatest source of happiness and peace was her testimony of Jesus Christ and of the restoration of the gospel. Florence refused to grow old. She always insisted that age was a state of mind and that growing old was a place she refused to go. All who knew and loved her will attest to this fact. She loved life and was perpetually happy which had an infectious effect on others. Even in the face of challenging health issues, Florence remained optimistic and strong and endured them without complaining or becoming bitter. Florence had a love of gardening. She always said that she inherited a love of “ having her hands in the soil” from her father who was a farmer. She took great joy in raising her own vegetables and sharing them with her friends. She was also a great cook. She cooked for the lunch counter at the Sun Drug for 10 years and earned many loyal customers. Florence’s world famous green chile burros were legendary and will be missed by many. Florence’s greatest joy was her family. She considered being a mother and grandmother the greatest calling there is. Her posterity is eternally thankful for her commitment to motherhood and her Savior Jesus Christ. Truly love was the language spoken in her home. Funeral services will be held at the Tempe South Stake Center 1111 E. Knox Rd. Tempe 85284 at 11:00 am, December 12 with a viewing prior from 9:00 to 10:30. There will be a viewing Friday night from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Legacy Funeral Home at 1374 N. Arizona Ave in Chandler. Services and arrangements handled by Legacy Funeral Home

Florence Preston Root

January 24, 1926 - December 4, 2015