Mrs Elsie Marie Smith

Elsie Smith lived a life of service, compassion and dedication, in the church as well as in her nursing career. She was a member of multiple churches throughout her lifetime and served in a board member, Superintendent, choir member, choir director, assistant Pastor, church mother, missionary and Evangelist. She was an example to young women in the church teaching life skills and modeling the "work/life balance" before it was thing! She worked tirelessly week in and week out preparing and serving meals in church, working in the church daycare, with the youth ministry for years, served as a teacher for youth and adult classes, and in any other capacity requested by church leadership. In her nursing career, she worked at Columbia Hospital Women with premature and term newborns, did home health for many families and at several nursing homes throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. Her passion was for "babies and geriatrics." The love with which she spoke about her patients was an inspiration to her family members who currently work in healthcare. She never came home and complained about work; it was always a joy! She was a star pupil, often tutoring her classmates and assisting the teacher. She retired to care for her husband until his death in 1983, but returned to nursing until she was physically unable to work any longer in the mid-1990s. Her desire to help others extended beyond the workplace, gifting a special incoming student with the left over tuition monies to help them get started in their career. Her love for children and her desire to help others led her to foster care. As a foster mom she cared for 8 children, from infant to teens, for over 10 years! Her family was her pride and joy! She was a dedicated wife until her husband passed away and a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother until she passed away. She cared for grandchildren every summer, she never allowed name calling, hitting or fighting of any kind. In her later life, she cared for her great grandchildren. She celebrated every accomplishment, every new birth, and every graduation! She often bragged her grandsons and their military service. She raised 3 children with her husband of 30 years, supporting him while he served in 3 wars. They welcomed 3 grandchildren before his death and added several more branches to their bountiful family tree whose deep roots all come back to her! She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John F Smith Sr., 2 sisters, Bernice Pitts, and Willie Beatrice Underwood, 4 brothers, Herman, Charles, Luther, and Timothy Norphard, 2 daughters-in-law, Joanette Smith and Celeste Smith, her son John F. Smith, Jr., and granddaughter Kenji Bigby. Her profound impact on this world is immeasurable! She touched so many lives; patients, neighbors, friends, family, extended and church family and even beyond. She was truly one in a million and we are better people for knowing her and being loved by her!

Mrs Elsie Marie Smith

May 30, 1931 - May 29, 2021