Florence Vance, 51, and her two daughters were shot by their husband and father, William Vance, 54, before he took his own life.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Riverside Police Department and the Pell City Police Department responded to a report of a suicidal male at 2368 Depot Street in Riverside at 9:47 a.m. on Sunday morning.

William shot himself after law enforcement arrived on the scene. The investigation is being conducted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department at this time.

Florence worked for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Lakeshore location, in Homewood.

Those who worked with her at Lakeshore ADRS described her as an enthusiastic leader and someone passionate about her job and community.

“She was fiercely intelligent, lived in the moment and had the most contagious smile and laughter that lit up a room,” said Lakeshore ADRS in a statement on their Facebook page.

According to Jill West, governmental relations manager for ADRS, the statement was created as part of a group effort at ADRS Lakeshore. She described the employees there as being “very close.”

“Naturally our hearts are broken and our prayers are with that family, friends and the whole community,” said West.

They said in the process of working through the sudden loss of their coworker, their main concern is sharing Florence’s life as it was to them.

Florence worked to rehabilitate and counsel deaf and hard of hearing individuals during her time at ADRS. In the statement from ADRS, she was described as having worked with “hundreds of consumers to help them reach their employment goals.”

“She cared passionately about her family, her community, and making a difference in the world. She absolutely loved her two girls and enjoyed sharing stories about them with her co-workers.”

Florence’s daughters, Samantha, 16, attended Pell City High School and, Caroline, 13, attended Duran South JR High.

Florence, who has been remembered by many people of the ASL community on Facebook, was described as being “patient” with her hearing coworkers who weren’t proficient in ASL.

“She always took a genuine interest in others, celebrating everyone’s victories and accomplishments and offering kindness during times of others’ tragedy or grief,” said the statement. “We have laughed, cried, and celebrated with her. We will forever be grateful for her impact.”