Question: Is Florida a widow?
Answer: Florida's husband, James Evans, Sr., appeared in a total of 61 episodes during Seasons 1-3 of the series. After creative differences with the show's creator, Norman Lear, mainly over the increasingly buffoonish characterization of oldest son, James "J.J." Evans, Jr., actor John Amos did not have his contract renewed. His character was killed off in an automobile accident in his home state of Mississippi while he was securing steady work in the hope of relocating his family there. Florida learned of his death via a phone call at the family's going away party. We don't know if her second husband, Carl, died or just stayed in Arizona, and it's debateable whether someone who remarries is still called a widow.
Florida did not learn of James' death through a phone call. It was through a telegram sent in the mail that Florida read during the party.
Norman Lear didn't create Good Times. Eric Monte and Michael Evans did. Norman Lear simply developed it.
Question: What is the actual line spoken by JJ? This is a paraphrase from what I remember from almost 50 years ago: "When poor folks get money from the government they call it welfare, but when corporations get it, it's called subsidies."
Answer: It's from s01e03, "Getting Up the Rent." They're short on rent and Florida finally agrees to go to the welfare office with Willona. But she's turned down because they made too much money. Willona says "You know, if we were rich and needed some emergency funds, we'd get it just like that." Florida says, "But rich folks don't take welfare, do they?" And Willona says, "No, they call it subsidy."
Answer: Carl did die of lung cancer, that's why she returned to her family.