Elsie May Nelson Smith, age 91, of Livingston, TX, passed away on February 10, 2012 in Livingston. Mrs. Smith was born on March 4, 1920 in Rusk, TX to parents, Jim Henry and Julia May Ward Whitaker. She was a member of Beacon Bay Baptist Church of Livingston. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Julia Whitaker, first husband Gaston ""Monk"" Nelson; daughter, Barbara Ann Nelson Pierce; grandsons, DuWayne, Dennis and Danny Pierce; and two sisters, Neta Viola West and Dovie Martin.

Elsie is survived by her husband, Jimmy Ray Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Julia Ann and Harry Armitage; son and daughter-in-law, James Gaston and Barbara Gale Nelson; son and daughter-in-law Billy Ray and Margie Lou Nelson; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Paul Lane all of

Livingston; and son-in-law Curtis Pierce of Alto. She is also survived by grandchildren, David Ray and wife Gale Armitage of Splendora, DeeAnn and husband Tim Thompson; Stephanie and husband Bubba Dubois, Gaston Earl and

wife Denise Nelson, Stacie and husband Jeremiah Carr of Livingston, Billy Ray Nelson Jr. of Conroe, and Kim Pierce Nesmith of Malvern, Arkansas, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Elsie was a loving wife and mother. She was an avid gardener and cook. She had a special talent for producing beautiful roses and other flowers. In addition to taking care of her family, she also worked outside the

home. She worked at Julia' dress shop and the Livingston School District

for many years.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, TX. Interment will follow at

Peebles Cemetery. Conducting the services will be Rev. Harold Isaacs, Rev.James Frazier, Rev. Timothy Thompson and Billy Ray Nelson. Pallbearers are Shaun and Stephen Dubois, Jeremiah Carr, Bubba Nelson, David Armitage, Tim

Thompson, Zachary Thompson, and Wade Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Beacon Baptist Church. Visitation will be at the Cochran Chapel on Wednesday, February 15, beginning at 5:00 P.M.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Sign our online register at www.cochranfh.com