By Haley Mitchell Godwin

June 2 marked the end of an era as Angelia’s Flowers, located at 42 South Forest Avenue, closed its doors for the last time. Owned and operated by Glenda Pittman and her daughter, Angelia Phillips Hall, the store’s namesake, the shop was a cornerstone of the community for 35 years, creating silk and fresh flower arrangements and wreaths for all occasions.

According to Hall, she and her mother have freely poured their hearts and souls into the business, while loving every minute of it. However, Hall said it was time for them to redirect that love toward their family and church. 

“We had a really good run,” Hall said. “We were very, very blessed. The Lord blessed us greatly during the 35 years we were in business. We made so many good friends. We had customers from Birmingham, Montgomery, and even Florida and we will be forever grateful for all of them, but Momma is 76 and I’m 57. It was just time to retire, and I am loving having more time to spend with my loved ones and with my church family.”

The story of how Angelia’s Flowers began is a humble one. Pittman operated a small fruit stand on U.S. Highway 331 North, just across from what was the Vanity Fair sewing factory. Behind the fruit stand was a tiny building where she and Hall opened a gift shop. 

The gift shop later transformed into a thriving flower shop and throughout the years, Angelia’s Flowers remained an essential part of the community’s fabric. The mother and daughter team were present during joyous occasions like weddings, birthdays, and graduations, where their beautifully crafted floral displays added an extra touch of elegance and charm, according to the establishment’s biggest fans. 

But the two were also there during somber times, providing comforting arrangements for funerals and offering support to grieving families during somber occasions. 

Retirement had been on the table for some time, but it was a somber occasion that made Pittman and Hall realize that it was time to retire and spend more time with their loved ones. 

The loss of Pittman’s daughter and Hall’s younger sister, Pam, served as a catalyst for the women to get the ball rolling toward retirement. 

The decision to close the shop was not an easy one, although the community always kept the flower shop bustling with business, the ladies watched their competition expand due to the rise of the Do It Yourself (DIY) culture. The fact that many businesses now offer flowers including grocery stores, also influenced their decision to close up shop. 

For Angelia, the flower business was more than just a profession; it was a family tradition. Growing up, she spent years as the delivery girl for her aunts’ flower shop, Forget Me Not Florist in Greenville. Two of Hall’s aunts were accomplished florists themselves, and their influence on Hall’s life was undeniable. Working with flowers was her passion, and she cherished every moment spent creating and sharing floral wonders with the community and beyond. 

The store was not just a business; it was a labor of love nurtured equally by Hall and Pittman. 

“Angie and I will both miss our sweet customers,” said Pitman “We want to thank all of our patrons, from the bottom of our hearts, for a wonderful 35 years in business. I will miss the work done around the holidays, especially Christmas, but more than anything we will miss our customers that were all more like family.”

Angelia’s Flowers will be missed by many, including customers like Allison Willingham, a Brantley native now living in Madison. Willingham reminisced fondly about the shop’s personal touch, recounting how they went above and beyond to provide comfort during difficult times, even after the passing of her parents.

“My parents were Randy and Joie Culpepper,” Willingham said. “My mom died in 2006, and Angelia’s Flowers did her whole funeral. Then, after I moved to north Alabama in 2009, I would call and order flowers from Angelia’s.  They would deliver the flowers to my mom’s graveside, remove the old ones, and always send us a photo every time. My dad passed in 2015, and we continued the calls and deliveries. They are very dear to my family’s hearts.”

Above all, both Pittman and Hall are grateful for the memories they created and the relationships they forged throughout their 35 years in business. As they embark on this new chapter in their lives, they look forward to cherishing time with family, enjoying their passions and creating new memories.