Dwight E. Flowers Sr.

Dwight Eugene Flowers, 80, passed away on December 19, 2024, comfortably and peacefully at home surrounded by his companion and partner, Evelyn Haywood. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 6, 1944, Dwight was the first-born son of the late Forest and Ruth Flowers. Growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois, his parents instilled a commitment to education and learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a powerful work ethic through the family business, Flowers Confectionary.

After graduating from Lincoln Senior High School in East St. Louis, Illinois in 1962, Dwight continued his education at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 1968. At SIU, Dwight pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and this experience cemented many lifelong friendships through the years. He also met his wife, the late Joan Marie Gill in college and they married in June 1966. To this union were born two children, Dwight Jr. AKA “Chip” and Sylvia.

Dwight never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a big smile like he had known them for a lifetime. Upon graduation, he began his career in pharmaceutical sales for Mallinckrodt Chemical and then Ciba Geigy, often serving as the first or only black salesman in his early career. He moved the family to Chicago, Illinois, and later to the suburbs of Chicago, again breaking “redlining” barriers that had prevented home ownership for black Americans in South Holland, Illinois. While living in the Chicagoland area, he was active in church at Wesley United Methodist Church in Harvey, Illinois. 

Throughout the community, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Polemarch in the Chicago Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He also coached the chess club and taught math at Robeson High School in his spare time, sharing his strategic mind with young students. He later attended McDonald Corporation’s “Hamburger University” to train to become a franchise owner/operator. The opportunity to purchase a McDonalds franchise in his hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois led him back home where he reconnected with friends and classmates and touched the lives of young people through his dedicated work ethic, friendly voice, and welcoming demeanor. 

After selling the franchise, Dwight moved to Omaha, Nebraska and then to Kansas City, Missouri to start a new career opportunity and a new challenge in federal and later city government. He continued to possess an endeavoring and entrepreneurial spirit, layered with a can-do attitude, curiosity, tenacity, and willingness to learn new skills. He loved math and business, invested in real estate, and later became a tax preparer both for H&R Block and as an independent business owner. He continued working in various capacities until 2021 when illness forced him to sit still, relax and enjoy watching the political news and the Kansas City Chiefs.

During his residence in Kansas City. Dwight met his beloved companion and devoted partner, Evelyn Haywood. Together, they shared a home, and a life filled with cherished memories, supporting one another through life’s joys and challenges until his final days.

Dwight was called home to rest on Thursday, December 19, 2024. He was blessed with eighty years of life. In addition to his parents, Dwight was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his sister Annie (Flowers) Thompson and his brother F. Lamar Flowers.

Dwight leaves a lasting legacy of love, wisdom, and respect. He is survived by his son, Dwight Jr. (Debbie) of St. Louis, Missouri; his daughter, Sylvia, of Nashville, Tennessee; and his three beloved grandchildren, Dwight III “Trey” Flowers, Aniya Flowers, and Zahra Ansari. He also leaves behind several close nieces and nephews, cousins, fraternal brothers and dear friends. His passing is felt deeply by his entire family, as well as the countless friends and colleagues whose lives he touched over the years. 

Services will be held at Park Lawn Chapel on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Visitation will begin at 9:30am, Fraternity honors will begin at 10:45am, followed by funeral services at 11am. Funeral home address is 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, MO 64138. 

Condolences may be submitted via email at wecare@parklawnfh.com or by fax (816)523-2317.

Memorial tributes may be directed to American Diabetes Association by using the pledge link below.