Husker Captain Larry Florence, Who Bravely Battled Cancer, Joins His Late Mother Bessie and Is Survived by His Daughter Alexandra!

Larry Florence's mother, Bessie, raised him and his 3 siblings as a single mother.

July 7, 2026

This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on July 7, 2026

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball captain Larry Florence passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2026, at the age of 49, after a courageous decade-long battle with multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

Larry Florence is survived by his daughter, Alexandra, who lives with her mother in Chile, and sisters, Harveta J. Florence, Jasponica G. Florence, and Katshalliam E. Gosha.

The basketball star Florence now joins his late mother, Bessie, who preceded him in death by just a few months. Whereas details surrounding his father remain unknown.

Larry Florence was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 37, nearly ten years before his passing.

Over the decade, he endured at least ten rounds of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, over 200 experimental treatments, and numerous medication trials.

Despite these grueling treatments, he remained unable to work for more than three months during this period due to frequent hospital stays, which also left him financially strained and unable to afford a house or car.

In April 2026, Florence spoke to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer about his will to live, saying, “I want to be here for my daughter, my family and friends and enjoy life. I don’t want to just give up.”

Nonetheless, his battle ended on July 5, 2026, as confirmed by Independence CC head coach Jason Steadman.

Larry Florence Outlived His Single Mother, Bessie, by Seven Months!

now joins his late mother, Bessie, who raised him and his three siblings as a single parent in Phenix City, Alabama.

Bessi Kate Rutledge Florence, affectionately known as Auntie Kate, passed away on November 11, 2026, at the age of 72 in Phenix City, Alabama.

A month before her passing, Larry had taken to his Facebook to share about his mother’s health, writing:

MOTHER IS DOING FINE,She’s the strongest Woman we know 💪🏾MY Mother is fighting everyday..
Mother has the Normal illness and symptoms that we all go through..She’s Still Beautiful 😍

Born on October 4, 1952, to James Rutledge, Sr. and Eva Mae Evans Rutledge, Bessie grew up in Phenix City and attended Mother Mary Mission Catholic School.

She graduated from Carver High School in 1970 and went on to build a successful career, working as a sales manager at Sears, Roebuck, and Company for 25 years before retiring as the general manager of Fitzgerald Pharmacy in 1998.

Bessie was a devoted mother to her four children: daughters Harveta, Japonica, and Katshalliam, and son Larry K. Florence.

She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren: Jerrosadia, Katelyn, Brookelyn, Elle Gracyn, Verchrisia, Alexandra, and Kobe.

Bessie was known for her strong faith, serving as a missionary at Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Barbara and Suzetta, and her brother James Jr.

Bessie’s funeral was held on November 18, 2026, at Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City, with burial at Green Acres Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia. A public viewing took place on November 16, 2026.

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Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.

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