Florence Eubanks; was a reading instructor

Florence Pryor Eubanks, 90, of North Wales, a retired reading instructor in Philadelphia schools, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, of congestive heart failure at Brookdale Montgomery assisted living in North Wales.

A native of New Bedford, Mass., Mrs. Eubanks was one of nine children born to Joseph and Alice Pryor. The family was steeped in Christian faith, and from an early age, Mrs. Eubanks attended Union Baptist Church in New Bedford.

She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1945, as World War II was ending, and served as a clerk typist at the Army's Camp Edwards in Barnstable County, Mass.

When not doing office work, she volunteered with the USO.

In 1948, she married Cole L. Eubanks Sr. The couple moved to Philadelphia, where they reared five children. They joined the House of the Lord, a church in Philadelphia, where Mrs. Eubanks taught Sunday school, tutored children, and helped the church's parishioners in whatever ways she could.

Mrs. Eubanks attended Temple University for two years, majoring in social administration. She was a reading instructor with the Benchmark Program and a teaching assistant at the elementary level in the Philadelphia School District for many years. She retired in 1992.

"She loved the children," said daughter Sharon Chandler. "She would come home and tell us stories. They were 'her' children. She would find them shoes and bring them clothes from our home."

Her husband died in 1990.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Eubanks is survived by daughters Emily MacRae and Elizabeth Johnson; sons Cole L. Jr. and Stephen; two sisters; two brothers; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Monday, Nov. 14. Everyone wore bright colors, as she had requested, her daughter said.

Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102