Florence Rochelle

Florence Plakas Rochelle, 97, of Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023.  She was born on October 11, 1925, in Colonial Heights, but lived her young school years in Blandford. In the early forties, her family moved to South Chesterfield. In 1947, she married Claude Rochelle and lived the remainder of their lives in Matoaca. She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Emma Stech Plakas; her husband of 65 and a half years, Claude Rochelle; her son, Robert Rochelle; and sister, Annie Plaka Valenta. She was a lifetime member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, a 1944 graduate of Saint Joseph High School, and she was a member of American Legion Post 136 Auxiliary. She attended senior exercise classes regularly, and she enjoyed them with nice fellowship. She was always busy either working in her yard, on her various crafts, or looking forward each month to eating out with “HER LADIES”. Her pride and joy was being a grandma and sharing life with her granddaughter, Lauri and grandson-in-law, Elijah. She is survived by her devoted and loving granddaughter, Lauri Rochelle Thompson; grandson-in-law, Elijah Thompson; niece, Susan Valenta Wells; as well as a great niece and nephew. A funeral service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. at the funeral home.  Flowers are appreciated, but in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ettrick-Matoaca Rescue Squad, 5711 River Road #1, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.