Effie Mary Gloston Celestine passed away peacefully on July 29, 2023, at age 79 into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ while surrounded by family at her home in Crestview, Florida.

She was born to Angie Bias and Cosead Gloston on July 6, 1944, in Welsh, Louisiana. She was a caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Effie was a Master Florist and a self-taught Seamstress. She loved sewing, designing weddings, and floral arrangements for flower shops, family and friends. Most of all, she loved singing her Gospel music, reading the Bible, praying, working her puzzles, and traveling with her family.  Her professional accomplishments include being part owner of a flower shop, Palazzo Florist, and being "Coined" by the military base General and her many accolades for Customer Service Excellence she provided to the Military Active Duty and Veterans visiting the Base Exchange.

She is survived by her two siblings: Jo-Ann Collins and Linda Gloston, seven children: Kennie (Sharon) Celestine, Toney (Gloria) Celestine, Winston (Jennifer) Celestine, Penny Celestine, Melvenia Celestine, Cycler Denise (Stewart) Celestine-Ringo and Ruth Ann Celestine-Morris (Daniel); and her ten grandchildren: Jayden Horne, Aaron Horne, Princeton Ringo, Naomi Morris, Kiara Celestine, Kiana Celestine, Carolyn Celestine, Orelia Holmes, Wonhassas Fontenot, Rhonado Fontenot and a host of great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Effie is preceded in death by her mother and father, Angie Bias and Cosead Gloston; seven siblings, Willie Gloston, Wilbert Gloston, William Gloston, Artist Gloston, Angie Gloston, Geneva Williams, Genevieve Francis; two infant sons, Timothy Celestine, and Jimmy Celestine; her pet dog, Ms. Jewels.

Special thanks to her loving daughter Penny, whom she affectionally called the "General," for all the countless around-the-clock hours spent caring for Mother during her illness.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, August 5, 2023, in the Church Chapel at Semien-Lewis Mortuary, 819 N. State Street in Jennings, LA.  Visitation is scheduled from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Church Chapel.  She will be laid to rest with other family members who have passed on in the Branch Cemetery, Branch, LA.