Sophronia “Elouise” Geiger Smith

Ms. Sophronia Elouise Geiger Smith, known to all as "Elouise", was born on October 25, 1937, in Lake Alfred, Florida, to the late Freeman and Isophine Geiger.

Elouise received the Holy Ghost in July 1949 under the leadership of Elder Nathaniel Scippio at the Church of God by Faith in Lake Alfred, Florida.

She attended Fruitland Elementary School in Lake Alfred, Florida, and later attended Jewett Junior and Senior High School in Winter Haven, Florida, from which she graduated. Elouise furthered her education by graduating from Walker’s Business College (Edward Waters University) in Jacksonville, Florida.

Known professionally as "Ms. Geiger", she was employed immediately after graduation and worked for approximately eight years in the Polk County school system. She later was employed with the Department of Justice for approximately 13 years, during which time she also attended the University of Tampa furthering her education and achieving additional certifications. Elouise was also employed for a number of years at St. John’s Episcopal Day School and in retirement served as a substitute teacher for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

On November 5, 1960, Elouise was united in holy matrimony to the late Al Lynden Smith, Sr., and they shared over 35 years of marriage. From this union, five children were born who blessed her with 21 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren.

In 1963, she relocated to Tampa, Florida.

She was a devoted and active member of The Rock Church of God by Faith, a church she deeply loved and respected. Elouise was a God-fearing woman who loved the Lord with all her heart. She was known as a caring and compassionate person who reached out to help anyone she could.

On December 31, 2025, the Lord called Elouise home, saying, “Enough.”

Elouise was preceded in death by her daughter Antoinette JeNene Owens; her sisters Rosemary H. Geiger, Wynona Norris and Elsenia J. Speight; her brothers Ronnie Edwin Geiger and Freeman Geiger, Jr.; brother in law William “Bill” Speight; her grandmother Sophronia Williams; and her parents, Isophine and Freeman Geiger.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her brother, Reverend Timothy Geiger (Dora, deceased) and their children; her sister in law Soreta Nickson Geiger (wife of the late Freeman Geiger, Jr.) and their children; sister in law Maggie Geiger Patterson (wife of the late Ronnie Edwin) and their children; Son-in-law Dedrick Owens (husband of her daughter the late Antoinette (Smith) Owens, and their children Shelby, Benjamin, and Noah; Son Al Lynden Smith II (Patricia) and their children Dannielle, Ashley, Al III, Breanna, Bryan, Jeremy, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Ian, Oksanna, and Zachariah; Daughter Sophia Smith (Richard) and their child Auynha; Daughter Jennifer Smith Reed and her children Simmon Sebastian, Jr., Jeremiah, and Jordan; and Daughter Octavia Smith and her children Olivia, Eden, and Xander, and their children; and like a grandson, Christopher Clark (mother and niece Lynnethea Speight-Clark); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her church family, and many loving friends.