Florence E. Cordle

She was born February 5, 1923 in Kenton, Ohio to the late Cyril and Marie (Resch) Crooks. She had a happy childhood and was even happier when she met and married Russell Smith. Oh how they loved to dance and sing. Their family grew quickly as the Lord blessed them with six children. The children were raised in an environment of faith in God and devotion to family which Florence maintained after Russell's passing.

Florence attended Franklin United Brethren Church, where she participated in the Ladies Aid Society, sang in the church choir alongside two of her daughters, helped with Bible School and enjoyed many seasonal projects like making Easter eggs. She was also very proficient at knitting and crocheting.

Florence found strength in reading God's word and never said an unkind word to or about anyone. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Through her words and actions, she instilled a seed of faith in all those who remain as a part of her legacy: children, Jane Hursey (Wayne), Jacquelyn Smith (Cathy), Jerry Smith (Sandy) and Jeffrey Smith (Chris); daughter-in-law Vicki Smith and son-in-law Paul Doran 25 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren and 51 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Russell Smith and Jackson Cordle; son Stanley Joe Smith; daughter Judith Ann Doran; sisters Maxine Lynskey and Jean Eckert and her brother Cyril Crooks.

Family will welcome friends 4-7pm Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. Gahanna.

Funeral Service 10am Friday at Franklin United Brethren Church, 7171 Central College Rd., New Albany, OH 43054 with Pastor Maurice Martindale officiating. Private family interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to OhioHealth Hospice (Kobacker House), 800 McConnell Dr., Columbus, OH 43214 or online at: foundation.ohiohealth.com.