Elsie M Ward

Elsie M. Ward, 89, of St. Johns, FL, passed away December 16, 2012 in St. Augustine, FL. She was born in Tampa, FL to parents, Marion William and Ada (Hay) Ellerbee. She was predeceased by her husband, William and is survived by her daughters, Carol (Tom) Shelton and Shirley (Barry) Strugnell; brother, Edward Ellerbee; grandchildren, Deborah Shelton, Thomas (Janece) Shelton, William Shelton and Kelly (Chris) Diaz; great-grandchildren, Sarah and Hannah Shelton, Christopher, Nicholas, Cameron and Taylor Diaz. Elsie Ward was the truest example of unconditional love here on earth. So much of her almost ninety years she spent nurturing and giving to others. She was an endearing wife to her husband William, and proved to be a dedicated mother who raised two beautiful daughters, Carol and Shirley, who also demonstrate the same family values she bestowed upon them. As all of our families grew, she often provided care and tended to needs watching over her grandchildren and great grandchildren. There were so many little lessons of life that she would teach followed by her tender smile. It wasn’t only her love for her family that that made her special. It was her love for “all creatures great and small.” Every dog, cat, bird, or squirrel that came around her home over the years would be well tended. Her love for nature, beautiful trees and flowers, always brought smiles. She seemed to have a blessed hand and gifted at making things grow. What seemed to be a dead twig would get stuck into a pot of dirt, and over time with her “love”, it would bloom and become a beautiful flowering plant or tree. Even in her last days, as she was wheeled around The Ponce Therapy Care Center, these were the things that would be connection points for her. Elsie had the same effect on people as she did on those twigs. Even after her health failed in Tampa, and she was relocated to Jacksonville, it didn’t take very long for all the staff to recognize that she was something special. Everyone would speak of her sweetness and kind heartedness; and it wasn’t long before she was bringing smiles to others as she would wave and smile as she passed them by. She would make people “bloom.” It was just something special about her spirit. Perhaps she knew best what Jesus was saying in Matthew 6: 28-29, “See how all the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” So in spite of the cherished cup of coffee accompanied by a glazed doughnut or some Little Debbie snack cake, a beautiful flower, or looking at pictures of her great grandchildren and other family, the smile that always emerged came from a place deep within her heart – a place of true joy. Elsie Ward lived the love that God described in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always perseveres. Love never fails.” A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Tampa, FL with Rev. Manuel Diaz officiating. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, (904) 284-4000.