Fred W. Valentine was born in Glen Flora, Texas on January 22, 1919, to Effie and Frank Valentine. He moved to Pasadena, California when he was 7 years old and grew up around his uncle’s business, James Woods Mortuary. When he was 18 years old, his uncle asked him what he was going to do when he graduated and Fred said he wanted to be an Architect. His “Uncle Jimmy” convinced him that a profession as a Mortician was worth considering. Fred agreed and graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in 1942, and from Pasadena Junior College, West Campus, with an A.A. Degree in Business.

Fred was a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and co-owned Woods-Valentine Mortuary with his wife, Arzella since 1954. For many years they worked closely with his brothers, Clifton Valentine and James Adkins, with Arzella’s sister, Vannie Brown, and with long-time friends, Laven Lanier, James Barker and many other dedicated staff. He was a Licensed Insurance Agent and operated Woods-Valentine Insurance Agency since 1960. He was an astute and respected business man. He contributed his time, talent and treasure to the community, and especially loved sponsoring Northwest Pasadena Little League teams.

Fred is a long-time member of Friendship Baptist Church, in Old Town Pasadena and has served there in many capacities. His community involvements throughout the years include serving as a Board member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, The Pasadena NAACP, L.A. County Funeral Directors Association (Past President), and of the California Funeral Directors Association. He has been a long-time member the National Association of Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, The Pasadena Urban League, the Hiram Masonic Lodge, and the Kiwanis Club.

Fred was a veteran of World War II. His favorite hobby was gardening. He had a passion for his profession and worked 6 or 7 days a week, much of his life.

Fred was married to the love of his life, Arzella J. Valentine, for 68 years. He is survived by his wife Arzella; two daughters, Janyce Layne Valentine and Gail Valentine Taylor (George); three granddaughters, Gemia Layne Mercer (Timothy), Gianna Lois Fay (Evan) and Andrea Denise Brayboy (Chris); great-grandsons, Terrell Allen and Xavier Brayboy; brothers, Kirk Adkins and Christopher Stephens (Rose), sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, many relatives and friends.

Services in honor of a life well-lived will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Friendship Pasadena Church, 80 W. Dayton St., Pasadena, CA 91105. Visitation will be held at Woods-Valentine Mortuary on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

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