Florence Elise Smith

On July 18, 1931, George and Elizabeth Grenier welcomed their fifth child into the world. Florence Elise was born at Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, baby sister to Yvonne, Nadine, Durand, and Johnny. She grew to love the outdoors, the red hills, and the wallrock surrounding her home and spent many happy hours exploring with her dog, Laddie.

Elise went to Sheridan, Wyoming to live with her sister Nadine and attend Sheridan High School. While in high school, Elise came to know Jesus as her savior and thus began a lifetime of serving and loving others. When returning from a church camp in the mountains, Elise met a nice looking man driving a new red Studebaker and romance blossomed. She married Wyman Ford shortly after her high school graduation in 1949.

Wyman and Elise shared a passion for the outdoors and for adventure. They loved to camp, fish and hunt. (Elise always maintained she was the better shot—and she probably was.) They had three daughters, Mary Ann, Laura, and René, who also learned to love nature and the outdoors.

In 1976 after a long illness Wyman retired from teaching school in Hulett, Wyoming, and the couple moved to Denver. In Denver they found their church family at Riverside Baptist Church where Elise worked for many years. When Wyman passed away in 1994, Elise found support and love from this family that carried her through the tough and lonely times.

In 2003 a new love came to Elise and she married Arnold Smith. He brought laughter and fun back into her life, and the two enjoyed happy years together. Elise was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, but she was determined it would not slow her down, and she won the battle against the disease for a long time. Finally, her body could take no more, and she went to be with the Lord she had loved and served for so long.

She is survived by her husband Arnold, daughter Mary Ann and husband Mike, daughter Rene’ and husband Jim, daughter Laura, step-son Mike and wife Pam, step-daughter Karen and husband Randy, and step-daughter Wanda; grandchildren David, Lisa, Bethany, Greg, Bryan, Emrie, Ian, Rod, and Scott; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Nadine and brothers Durand and Johnny.

She will be missed by all.

Contributions may be made to The Pregnancy Center, c/o Riverside Baptist Church, 2401 Alcott Street Denver, CO 80211. Or Hospice Care of Boulder in Broomfield County 2594 Trailridge Drive East Lafayette, CO 80026