Smith, Florence M.

Florence Marie Smith was born  8/11/1924 in Amarillo, Tx. She passed away on 9/4/2015 at the VA Hospital, Dallas, Tx at the age of 91 after a long battle with dementia and lymphoma. Florence bravely held onto life after becoming completely bedridden, unable to move or talk for over 3 years.  Her mind and body finally giving  way to the cruel effects of the cancer and dementia. Florence was the daughter of William Franklin Gochnauer and Mary Florence Murphree, one of 7 children, 4 girls and 3 boys.  Right out of high school, Florence joined the Navy.  She served her time as a nurse at the naval base in Farragut, Idaho.   Even though the Navy was a small part of her life, she was proud of her service to our country. After leaving the Navy, Florence met Wilmoth T. Smith, a handsome young Marine. They were married at a New Years Eve ceremony 1946.  Florence was happily married to Wilmoth T. Smith for over 47 years, until his death in 1993. Florence worked in insurance and real estate and Wilmoth was an account executive with General Mills. They were transferred from Amarillo Tx to Enid Ok, then to Lodi Calif, and finally to Minneapolis Mn.  Florence and  Wilmoth retired in Dallas,Tx in 1991 to be near family.  They joined Lakeview Christian Church and then Highlands Christian Church in Dallas. Florence loved to cook and loved to feed people, anytime, anywhere, inviting people to dinner as often as she could.   She especially loved her family and looked forward to family birthdays and holidays.  She loved to make “birthday cakes”.  Many people were the happy recipients of her wonderful homemade birthday cakes over the years. Florence volunteered to help at every function that she could, especially at her church, donating lots of food, time, energy and love.  And she loved to go to “Wednesday Game Day” at the church, always taking lots of homemade goodies to eat and regularly winning at the dominoes game “Chicken Foot”.  Florence also loved to help people. If anyone was ill, needed help, needed food, etc. she was always right there ready to help. Family include:  one daughter, Edna Marie Smith-Reim, two grandsons. Tim Reim & Lisa Morgan and Mark & Heather Reim, three great-granddaughters, Hope Reim, Hattie Reim, Helen Reim,  two sisters, Margie Wakefield and  Joyce LeMonds and brother, John Gochnauer, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, etc. She was preceeded in death by both her parents, one sister, Dorothy Dean, and 2 brothers, Tony & Barney Gochnauer, both killed in WWII. Florence was a very kind, considerate, compassionate, strong willed, and determined person. She loved people and she loved life. Florence you will be missed.  Rest in Peace.   Arrangements under the direction of: ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Service 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, TX 75238 214-340-8008