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MAJOR FLORENCE FUSAYE SENO ABE (R) was promoted to Glory on February 23, 2001, from Summit Medical Center, Oakland, Calif., after months of illness and hospitalization.
Florence was born on December 25, 1915 in Florin, Calif., (then a suburb of Sacramento) and as a young woman was involved in The Salvation Army social services. She answered God’s call to full time ministry and was commissioned in 1938 with the Enthusiasts Session in San Francisco. As a Lieutenant at the Stock-ton Japanese Corps, she met and then married Captain Tozo Abe in 1939. Their son, David Mitsuo was born in 1940 and soon they all became innocent victims of World War II.
Captain and Mrs. Abe were sent to the Reception Center at Pomona in 1942, where they lived for six months. From Pomona, the Abes were sent to a relocation center in Heart Mountain, Wyo. From 1942 to 1945 the Abes faithfully witnessed through the wearing of their uniforms and conducting worship services for their love of Christ. Mrs. Abe also taught an English class and formed wonderful relationships through this experience.
After the war was over, they were on loan to the Eastern Territory for a short time serving in Philadelphia at the Ivy House Children’s Home. They returned to the Westwith appointments in Lahaina, Maui, Stockton and Fresno.
In 1948 their sons Stanley Kenji was born.
Major and Mrs. Abe retired in 1962. In 1975 Major Abe’s husband suffered a stroke and for 20 years she cared for him at home, the last 6 years while he was completely bedridden.
Mrs. Major Florence Abe is survived by sons, David and Stan, grandson, Kentaro, sisters, Elsie Matsumoto, Josephine Fukushima, Mary Shimazu and brother Alvin Seno. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The funeral service was be held on Friday, March 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at the Noble Chapel, Cypress Lawn, Colma, Calif., with Major William Nottle, Concord corps officer speaking and Major Larry Shiroma presiding.
Messages of condolences may be sent to the Abe family at 801 Franklin St., Apt. #808, Oakland, CA 94607.
ENVOY JAMES TENSHU TABA (R) was promoted to Glory on February 6, 2001, out of Honoluou, Hawaii, Japanese Section Kauluwela Mission Corps.
Born in 1902 in Japan, he went to Honolulu to work as a houseboy. With no knowledge of Jesus Christ, he happened to meet a group of Japanese Salvationists conducting an open-air meeting.
In his salvation he found a totally new direction in life, inspiring him to bring other people into the circle of God’s love.
Taba was trained in the Victory Session at the Western Training College and commissioned in 1926. However, he felt that he needed more theological training. He attended school in Hono-lulu and married his wife Tsuru in 1928, remaining an ardent Salvationist.
He served as corps sergeant major at Kauluwela Corps for many years while running a small neighborhood “drug and notions” store, and could always be counted upon to assist the corps officer. At one time, following the death of Major Suzuki, he ran the corps until Brigadier Imai arrived. He later attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in 1946.
Taba was approached upon Imai’s retirement in 1970 with a request to head the corps as an envoy, and sold his bus-iness to comply with this wish.
Through the years he inspired the corps with his spirited service, often belting out “Love Lifted Me,” his favorite hymn, with special feeling.
The Tabas raised four children: daughter Lt. Colonel Grace Cline (R), a son and daughter in Honolulu, Lynn Kamikawa and Daniel Taba, and son Dr. Tom Taba, a dentist in Richmond, Calif.
A stroke several years ago limited his communication but his warm spirit continued to sing the praises of the God who lifted him. Cards may be sent to Mrs. Tsuru Taba, 2219 Hunnewell Place, Honolulu, HI 96822
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