Florence Okon Akpan's Obituary
Florence Okon Akpan, 66, of Layton, Utah, passed away on April 27, 2025, at LDS Hospital after a 2-year battle with endometrial cancer.
Born on March 10, 1959, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to Maggie Otu and Okon Ibok Okon. Florence completed her primary and secondary education in Nigeria before moving to Utah in October of 1983. Upon arriving to Utah with her ex-husband and stepdaughter, she completed her high school education and went on to complete her college degree in Accounting from LDS Business College. In December 1986, she welcomed her daughter to the world.
She had a successful career in accounting where she worked for companies like First Security Bank, J.C. Penney and the IRS. Despite working a full-time job, she always managed to have 1 or 2 other jobs on the side. Some of those jobs included working as a time operator, working at Huish Detergent and doing customer service for AT&T, just to name a few. She began working at Turn Community Services in 1999 where she was a Direct Support Professional. She maintained that as her 2nd job until she passed.
Florence has always had a passion for helping the growing community of Africans in Utah. On occasion, she would travel to California and Idaho to ensure that the people around her had the supplies and food that they were missing from home. Between the year 1999 and 2000, Florence decided to open her own West African grocery store. This took place in her 2-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City. In 2001, she was able to open a brick-and-mortar location called African and Caribbean Supermarket in South Salt Lake. This store specialized in food items from West Africa and the Caribbean. She also sold movies, music, hair products, calling cards, facial soaps, lotions, clothing and more. All the essentials that you would need despite being so far from the country you call home. Along with working 2 jobs and maintaining her grocery store, she ventured into the catering business, cooking Nigerian dishes for those that request it. Her cooking skills were always in high demand and could not be beaten.
Florence was known for her generosity. She financially supported many family members that still reside in Nigeria. She was kind, supportive, caring, passionate, strong, and definitely an inspiration to many. She was well known and respected in the African community in Utah. She was always willing to lend a hand or an ear to anyone that needed it. She made sure that any new Africans knew about the communities that were built here and made sure that everyone felt welcomed.
She is survived by her stepdaughter Grace Akpan, her daughter Victoria Buchanan (Bart Buchanan) and her 2 granddaughters Alivia, 7 and Zoie, 3. Florence is also survived by her brother in Nigeria, Vincent Okon and sisters in Nigeria, Akon Okon and Imabong Edede Akpan, and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Edward and Gregory Okon and sister Margaret Umofia.
A viewing will take place on Friday, May 2nd at Premier Funeral Services in Roy at 10AM. Burial at Lindquist Mortuary in Layton at 12PM, and celebration of life will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 60 W. Gordon Ave. in Layton at 1 PM.
For the last 2 years, Florence fought as hard as she could to beat cancer. She had so many plans and goals that she wanted to achieve before she passed. That fight could not have been done without the amazing medical team that was behind her. Her family would like to show their appreciation to the Intermountain Health Medical staff in Layton, Murray and the medical staff at McKay Dee in Ogden. A special appreciation goes to the medical staff at the Utah Cancer Specialist in Layton. Thank you to Dr. Jason Stinnett, Dr. Robert Havard, Brittany Weed, MHS, PA-C, the nursing team and administrative staff. She wouldn't have been able to fight as long as she did without you all. Thank you for loving and taking care of our mom. Finally, we would like to thank the amazing medical staff at LDS Hospital and the Hospice team. They provided her with an exceptional amount of care from the moment she walked in until she took her last breath.
Florence's warmth, generosity, support, cooking and hard-working spirit will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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