Florence Theresa Oakes, 91, of Mexico, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 p.m. on Monday, September 18, at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Mexico. Burial will follow in St. Brendan Cemetery.

Visitation is Monday from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Arnold Funeral Home.

Florence was born on October 26, 1931, in Martinsburg, the daughter of Peter and Rose (Deimeke) Troesser. On January 16, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg, she married Gerald Joseph Oakes. He passed away on May 24, 2014.

Mrs. Oakes worked at Florsheim Shoe until she had children and became a stay-at-home mother.  When the kids got older, Florence went to work for Dr. Robert Love and eventually went to work at Charms Gift Shop.

Florence was a member of St. Brendan Catholic Church and the Ladies of St. Brendan. Mrs. Oakes was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily. She loved plants and enjoyed puzzles, sewing and crocheting.

She is survived by four children, Michael (Nancy) Oakes of Mexico, Mary Ann Oakes of Hallsville, Tim Oakes of Mexico and Jennifer (Scott) Martin of Vandalia; four grandchildren, Jessica Riechers, Brandon Oakes, Tera Scott and Justin Durham; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe (Pat) Troesser of Laddonia; one sister, Irene Hard of Mexico; and sister-in-law, Frances Troesser of Laddonia.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Oakes; son, Kevin Oakes; grandson, Joshua Oakes; brothers, Harold Troesser and Lawrence Troesser; and son-in-law, Darin Stone.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or for Masses at St. Brendan Church, 615 S. Washington St., Mexico, MO 65265.