The Honorable Mother Francine Coleman Postell (December 21, 1932 – September 8, 2022)

Visitation: Monday, September 19, 2022
Visitation Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Visitation Location: Postell’s Mortuary Chapel
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida

Visitation: Monday, September 19, 2022
Visitation Time: 4:00 – 7:00 PM (Wake Service beginning at 6:00 PM)
Visitation Location: Mt. Zion AME Church
420 Hull Avenue
Oakland, Florida

Service Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church
1968 Bruton Boulevard
Orlando, Florida

Obituary:

The Honorable Francine Coleman Postell, 89, a lifelong resident of Oakland, Florida, fell asleep and entered her eternal rest on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Mother Postell was born on December 21, 1932 to the late Gertrude Herriott and Acee Coleman. She was educated in Orange County Public Schools and graduated from Florida Southern University, Lakeland. She later furthered her education at Nova University.

Mother Postell taught school and retired from education after 20+ years of service. While at Ocoee Middle School she earned the title of Teacher of the Year in 1992. During her career as an educator she joined The Classroom Teachers Association, and various other local, state and national social studies organizations.

Mother Postell, a proven community servant, was elected as the 1st African American Female mayor of the Town of Oakland, and served the residents there from 1987-1991. She brought a much needed change in leadership, accountability and service to her community for generations to come.

Mother Postell was a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a faithful and active member of Mt. Zion AMEC, Oakland. She has served in several capacities of our great Zion. She was a steward, Sunday School teacher, 1st Vice President and President of the local Lay Organization, Secretary of the Central Florida Conference, Director of Lay Activities, Life Member of the WMS. Affiliations include: Member of Board West Orange County Christian Service Center, West Orange YMCA, Church Women United, and a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.

Mother Postell was a world traveler and has toured Amsterdam and South America. Her greatest love is educating, teaching, and empowering young women and men through the YPD and WMS. She has awarded scholarships for YPD’ers in her church; Gave financial and moral support for the YPD; Provided transportation for YPD’ers interested in going to Connectional YPD meetings. She believed in training up children in the way they should go and many of them have grown and continued to serve in the AME Church because of the foundation and example of this virtuous woman.

She has received many awards, accolades and commendations through her life of servitude and love of people. She was the recipient of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Gwendolyn Cherry Award for Humanitarian Efforts; countless awards in education, community service and the AME Church Laity and WMS organizations.

Mother Postell transitioned from labor to reward on the morning of September 8th. She was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, Missionary, Servant and Woman of God who will be deeply missed by her family, church family and community alike. Anyone who knew Francine Postell knew she adored serving and worshipping her God, serving in her church, advocating for her community, educating young people, and her beloved Orlando Magic. She was a woman of great wisdom, kindness and a heart of gold. She raised her children, grandchildren, and generations of community children in the fear and admiration of the Lord. She is just another soldier who has gone on home. Rest well, servant of God.

Mother Francine Postell is survived by her sons, P.E. Henry (Beverly) Postell, II, Daryl Postell; brother, Clarence Coleman; sister, Cleo Brown; daughter-in-law, Johnnie Mae Postell; 9 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and a host of great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022 from 10AM-2PM at Postell’s Mortuary Chapel, Orlando. Visitation will also take place on Monday, September 19, 2022 from 4-6PM with a wake service to begin at 6PM at Mt. Zion AME Church, Oakland. A service of celebration will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 11:00AM at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1968 Bruton Boulevard, Orlando with Pastor Terence R. Gray, officiating and Presiding Elder Henry L. Postell, II, eulogist. Interment: Oakland Community Cemetery, Oakland, FL. Live Streaming of funeral service can be viewed via FRANCINEPOSTELL.COM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mother Francine’s honor to Mt. Zion AME Church, PO Box 484, Oakland, FL 34760.

****MASK ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL THOSE ATTENDING SERVICES****