Elizabeth A. Smith

December 29, 1936 - April 19, 2015

On Sunday, April 19, 2015 Elizabeth (Rojas) Smith passed from this life to join our Heavenly Father. Elizabeth was born in Phoenix, Arizona on December 29, 1936; daughter of Isabel and Felix Rojas. The youngest daughter of five children, Elizabeth grew up in Prescott and graduated from Prescott High School. After high school, she attended Beauty College in Phoenix and obtained her degree in hair design and cosmetology. Elizabeth married Manuel Leyva and together they had a beautiful family – Lisa, Carlos, Jeffrey and Carmella. Elizabeth was blessed with many talents – hair stylist, seamstress, gardener – primary among them was providing a warm, loving home for her family. Active in school and church activities, Elizabeth was a familiar and willing volunteer in the community. In later years, Elizabeth met and married local contractor Don Smith. For the past 32 years, they have made their home together in Chino Valley. While her life may sound ordinary in many ways, Elizabeth was extraordinary. A fiercely devout woman of faith – but gentle and quiet in her demeanor - her legacy is one of ministry. Elizabeth served everyone she knew by extending faith, love, nurturing, a peace-filled wisdom, and guidance if asked. Simply, she gave of herself to all she knew. She is loved by many and her loss is felt immensely by her family and all who are blessed to be a part of Elizabeth’s life. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her beloved daughter Lisa Leyva and beloved grandsons Christian “Curly” Leyva and Joey Gerstner, son Erik Smith; her mother Isabel Rojas and father Felix Rojas. She is survived by her husband Don Smith; children Carlos (Linda) Leyva, Jeffrey Leyva, Carmella Leyva (Tom Neely), Denise (Nathan) Gerstner; grandchildren Christopher (Starr) Leyva, Garrett Leyva, Jordan Leyva, Tyler Tubbs, Joseph Leyva, Melissa Leyva, Lauren Gerstner, Hannah Gerstner, Gracie Gerstner and Joshua Gerstner and great-grandchildren Annabelle, Dahlia, Tannon and newest addition born 4/22/15, Dax; sisters Rose (Alexander (dec.)) Parra, and Margaret (Joseph (dec.)) DeAlva; and brothers Tony (Carolyn) Frias and Ernest (Judy) Rojas and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Elizabeth’s life will be held on Friday, April 24 at 2PM at The Heights Church located at 2121 Larry Caldwell Drive, Prescott, AZ