Helen Marie Flota, 85, of Mt. Vernon died 11 p.m. Jan. 11, 2005, at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

She and her husband owned and operated a fruit and vegetable stand, Flota’s Fruit Market, for over 30 years. She also worked as a cashier at the Mammoth Department Store and as a sales clerk at Carp’s Department Store.

Mrs. Flota was born Sept. 2, 1919, in Murphysboro to Fred and Sarah (Cripps) Lee.

She married Edward E. Flota July 20, 1935, in Mt. Vernon. They were married for 70 years. He survives.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at First Free Will Baptist Church. The Rev. Mike Gillock will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon and from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour Saturday at First Free Will Baptist Church.

Mrs. Flota is survived by her husband, Edward E. Flota of Mt. Vernon; sons Donald Eugene Flota and wife Dorothy of Molino, Fla., Arthur Lee Flota and wife Sharon of Mt. Vernon and Gary Dean Flota and wife Donna of Ocala, Fla.; grandchildren Timmy Flota and wife Brenda of Ocala, Fla., Mike Flota and wife Tracy of Ocala, Fla., Kelli Giffin and husband James of Ocala, Fla., Heather Walker of Ocala, Fla., Carmen Flota of Ocala, Fla., Trent Flota of Mt. Vernon and Todd Flota and wife Stacy of Mt. Vernon; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Berdella Parker and husband Wendell of Memphis, Tenn.; half sisters Betty, Jessie and Wilma of Belleville; a half brother, Robert Clements of Belleville; a special friend and caregiver, Mary Hubbard of Mt. Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Sarah Lee of Bluford; two half sisters, Bonnie and Margie; and a special nephew, Tweed Parker.

Mrs. Flota was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church for over 40 years. She was also a member of the Sewing Box Club and Loyal Workers Sunday school class. She loved making quilts and quilted more than 40 since 1980.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church building fund and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 for obituary information at any time.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: January 14, 2005
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman