Elise S Dear

Elise Sowell Dear, 98, passed away on November 29, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stancel Dear, daughter, Judith Dear Swanson, and son, Roderick Dear. Elise is survived by her grandson, Kenneth Ramsey and great-granddaughter, Tiffani R. Schrader. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Dear and step-grandchildren, former son-in-law, Daryl Swanson, wife Dinah Swanson, and son, Charley Swanson. As well, there are many members of her extended family and in-laws who will miss her greatly.

Elise was born in Echols, Georgia and moved to Largo, Florida in 1922. She graduated from Largo High School in 1933. While in high school, Elise was active in the drama club and loved playing ball. After marriage, she was a member of the Loyal Workers club, Largo Methodist Church. In the 1950s, she worked with her husband Stancel, at their fruit stand. Later, she worked as a waitress at the Pelican Restaurant on Clearwater Beach for fourteen years and then the Bridges Restaurant in Largo.

When asked the reason for her longevity, Elise would always say that it was because she ate vegetables and did hard work. She also gave credit to her parents, Oscar and Mae Estelle, who taught her right from wrong and instilled the sense of responsibility and compassion for others that she would exhibit throughout her life. A prime example of this was when she was a young newlywed; she became mother to the siblings of her husband and took care of her father-in-law.

Elise loved people and particularly loved her family. To Elise, her family was not just her immediate one but this included the nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit and was a strong, independent woman that believed in taking care of business. Cooking was a specialty and crossword puzzles were a hobby. She enjoyed working with the “Cane gang” at the Country Jubilee held every October at Heritage Village, Largo, Florida.

Elise would want her family and friends to remember these lessons of life; don’t be idle but rather stay busy doing what needs to be done, don’t go to bed angry, keep a sense of humor, and make amends with those who hurt you.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation at 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 or online at www.suncoasthospice.org.