Florence Ransom
Florence Ransom was born August 20, 1929 in Springfield, Illinois. She was married to James Ransom, Jr. who died in November 1996. She has two daughters: Rev. Linda Siddall and Shahidah Sanchez; a stepson, James T. Ransom (Terry); two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
She graduated from Feitshans High School in Springfield, IL.
Florence has been a member of Bethel A. M. E. Church for over 50 years. She was, in 2010, a member ofthe Usher Board, secretary of the Trustee Board and President of the Class Leaders. Mrs. Ransom is a member of Carle Hospital Auxiliary, the Douglass Senior Citizens' group and a sponsor of First String Inc.
She is a past member of the Royalettes and the Saturday Niters. Football and Basketball are Florence's favorite sports. She is a past member of the Illini Quarterback Club and Rebounders.
Her special entertainment is attending concerts and plays. Florence's Special Life Memories include working 32 years for the City of Champaign, spending the first seven years as a member of the Meter Patrol and the last twenty-five years in the City Clerk's office; volunteering with the hospitality group at Carle Hospital, giving flowers to all the adult patients and balloons to the children. She was amazed at how these small
tokens brightened up the patients' days. Her work with Carle Hospital's Auxiliary fundraising projects was also rewarding.
Her Words of Wisdom are: "Give the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you." Mrs. Ransom's favorite Biblical Character is Saul (later called Paul) because although God blinded him physically, He gave him clear spiritual insight. This former Pharisee became the greatest missionary of the early church. Her favorite Scripture is James 1:22, "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
