Elsie C. Smith

Elsie Catherine Smith, 97, of Staunton, Virginia was joyfully welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday afternoon, October 26, 2021. “We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. Elsie’s love for people and welcoming smile would light up a room. She was a devoted Christian and her love for God and Christian witness led many to Jesus. She was a member of the Lincoln Avenue Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Southside Church of God for many years. Elsie was a faithful, loving, caring and devoted matriarch of the Smith family for 97 years.

Elsie was born on June 9, 1924, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. She was adopted by the late David Elmer Bolser and Melinda Bolser. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hugh Wilson Smith, after 45 years of marriage, two children, David Wilson Smith and Carolyn Lee Smith Wilson and two son-in laws, Donald Willis Belflower and Kenneth Melburn Wilson.

Elsie is survived by her beloved daughter, Linda T. Belflower of Staunton, Virginia; four adored grandchildren, Debbie Moore (spouse Rick) of Wilmington, North Carolina; Becky Crowe (spouse Lee) of Richmond, Virginia; Kimberly Smallwood (spouse Phil) of Smithfield, North Carolina; David Wilson (spouse Rachel) of Lexington, Virginia; and seven great-grandchildren Leah Crowe, Ella Moore, Olivia Smallwood, Addison Crowe, Elisah Smallwood, Gabriel Wilson, Josiah Smallwood and Calla Wilson.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of UVA Hospital and the Hospice of the Piedmont for their kindness, compassion and special care. The family would also like to thank friends for their support and prayers.

A graveside service will be held November 1, 2021, 11 a.m. at Augusta Memorial Park, Waynesboro, Virginia. Pastor Barbara Hensley, Upper Room Church, Elkton, Virginia officiating.