Retired teacher was kind, creative

THOMSON, Ga. - For years, Florence Hokrein shaped the lives of the young people in her classroom.

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"She was very soft-spoken," said Mary Lynn Reese, who had Mrs. Hokrein as a fifth-grade teacher in 1980. "She was very creative in the classroom. I always liked her."

Barry Hemphill, who was Briarwood's headmaster during Mrs. Hokrein's tenure, remembered her connection with children.

"She was an excellent teacher," he said Wednesday afternoon. "She was a very caring person and really loved all the children."

Mrs. Hokrein died Monday at her Thomson home. Her funeral will be Friday.

Born in Finderne, N.J., she had lived in Thomson for the past 29 years. She retired after teaching at Norris Elementary School in Thomson and Briarwood Academy in Warren County.

She was a member of Thomson Presbyterian Church, and Tommy Samuels, who attends the church, said Wednesday he remembered her graciousness.

"She was just a real pleasant, sweet woman," he said.

Memorials may be made to the church mission ministry or the youth ministry.

Survivors include her husband, Howard J. Hokrein, of Thomson; sons and daughters-in-law Dale and Nancy Hokrein, of Tampa, Fla., and Glen and Karen Hokrein, of Thomson; daughter and son-in-law Donna and John Bates, of Chatsworth, Ga.; brothers and sisters-in-law Hank and Mary Gorski, of Mannville, N.J., and Peter and Barbara Gorski, of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; sister and brother-in-law Loraine and Louis Sian, of Findern, N.J.; and grandchildren Olivia, Emily, Anna, Evan and Jessica Hokrein and Logan and Sarah Beth Bates.

Her family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Beggs Funeral Home on Cobbham Road in Thomson.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Thomson Presbyterian. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery.