Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Florence Carmen Lewis Blair, who passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2013, will be held Friday, August 23rd at 11:00 a.m., Allen Temple AME, 2101 N. Lowe Street with Elder David Green, pastor officiating. Interment will be Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Florence Carmen Lewis Blair was born in Tampa, Florida to Edward Martin Lewis of South Carolina and Sarah Maxine Lewis of Cordele, Georgia. She was baptized in Allen Temple A.M.E. church on Scott Street, where she was an active member of the Sunday school program. Florence enjoyed spending time with her mother, Sarah and worked alongside her as she grew up in Allen Temple. She was formally educated in the Hillsborough County School system and graduated from Middleton High School. Upon graduating from Middleton, Florence entered Florida A & M Normal College, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Physical Education. Florence was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the University of Tampa with a M.Ed. in special learning disabilities and was the first African American Special education teacher in the county. Florence was passionate about education and service and her life activities reflected her interests. She was a dedicated and willing worker at Allen Temple A.M.E. church where she taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the Steward Board, Director of Young Peoples Development Department (YPD) and was Director of Christian Education. Florence served as a conference officer in the Women's Missionary Society and was a member of Church Women United. Florence was also active in community service. She served as a Basileus of the Beta Kappa Alpha Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for several years, and served as the Alumnae advisor to the undergraduates at the University of South Florida. Florence was President of the Tampa Chapter National Council of Negro Women and was an active member of the Las Damas Social Club. In her later years, Florence stayed true to her commitment to service and continued to work in soup kitchens and with the homeless until she was no longer able to do so. Florence loved her family and was devoted to her husband before his demise and her son Marlow and wife, Lynda Murray-Blair. She gave time and energy to her grandchildren, Marlow, Jr., Johnathan and Reed. Florence's gentle spirit and devotion to God's Work has made a meaningful and lasting impact on her community, family, friends and many others. One of Florence's favorite expressions was "... only what you do for Christ will last." Florence was preceded in death by her husband, John Blair; father, Edward M. Lewis and mother, Sarah Lewis. She leaves to cherish fond and loving memories with son, Marlow Lewis Blair and wife, Lynda Murray-Blair; grandchildren, Marlow L. Blair, Jr., Johnathan Walter Murray Blair and Reed Lovinggood Lewis Blair; cousins, Dorothy Jane Carver and Mildred Glover both of Albany, Georgia; special friends, Mildred Glover, Bob Glover, Susanne Glover and Dr. Robert V. Glover, Robbie Walden, Robert Walden, Jr., Barbara Walden and Ann Walden, Walter Carl Gordon, Tia Gordon and Susanne Gordon, Wilbur Carver, Robert Carver and Erika Carver; and a host of other relatives and friends. The visitation will be held Thursday, August 22nd at Aikens Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Friday for the service.