Florence Deborah Wooten, M.D.'s Obituary
“A life lived with purpose, a heart devoted to care.”
Dr. Florence Wooten, a cherished physician, loving mother and grandmother, and proud lifelong Houstonian, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, surrounded by her family and the warmth of the memories she created with those she loved. She was 71 years old.
Born on June 28, 1953, in Houston, Texas, Florence’s journey began in the vibrant community of Third Ward. She attended St. Nicholas Catholic School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Mount Carmel High School and Howard University before graduating from the University of Houston. Inspired by her father, the late Dr. Hargrove Wooten, she followed in his footsteps and earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Tennessee—a place that helped shape her lifelong commitment to excellence, compassion, and service.
Dr. Wooten began her career in ophthalmology alongside her father at Physicians Eye Associates before founding her own practice, Wooten Vision Care, where she faithfully served the Houston community for over 30 years. Vision care was more than her profession—it was her passion and her purpose. She offered more than treatment; she gave her patients a sanctuary. Always just a call away, she welcomed each person with a smile, a listening ear, and a heart full of care. For her, quality of care wasn’t a goal—it was a calling.
Supported throughout her career by her devoted staff—Tracie Scott White, Terri Cavazos, Florentina Barrios, Morris Green, Tema Bell, Kathy Nguyen, Kristin Henry, Mary Barela, Dr. Ouida Middleton and Deana McCathern—Dr. Wooten built a legacy of healing and trust rooted in genuine connection and a shared passion for service.
When not in her office, Florence delighted in life’s simple joys. She adored spending time with her grandchildren, tending her garden, and enjoying a good movie. A lover of music in all forms—from classical to classic R&B—she was always ready to dance. She was also a proud and loyal Texans fan, never missing a game and always cheering with heart.
Dr. Wooten was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Dr. Hargrove and Eleanor Wooten. She is survived by her loving daughter, Eleanor Curry; her “daughter from another mother,” Tema Bell; her treasured grandchildren Cheyenne Campbell and Bronx Curry; and her bonus granddaughter, Mattison Taylor. Her sisters, Patrice Wooten Hightower and Sharon Kailimai, brother-in-love John Hightower, niece Lailoni and grandniece Nakoa, carry her light forward with grace and love. Each of them—and every life she touched—carries a part of her strength, joy, and boundless heart.
A celebration of Dr. Wooten’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Purification Church in Houston, Texas. Family, friends, former patients, and members of the community are invited to join in remembrance and reflection.
Dr. Florence Wooten leaves behind a legacy built not just in the years she lived, but in the lives she healed and hearts she touched. Her spirit will live on in every smile, every act of kindness, and every step forward inspired by her care.
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