Elise Moran Smith

Elise Smith, age 88, of Biloxi, MS passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016. A longtime resident of Biloxi, MS, Elise was born to entrepreneur Edward Arbo Moran and home maker Mary Lamas Moran. She, along with her siblings, grew up in downtown Biloxi. In 1947, Elise married Navy Chief Signalman Thomas Peter Smith. Together they owned and ran the Five Flags/Smith Motel in Pensacola, FL for several years until retiring and returning to Biloxi. Elise was a beloved sister, mother, aunt, wife and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, caring for others, cooking and attending Tops Club Inc., meetings and events. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Moran; brothers James, Jack and Frank “Buddy” Moran; and sisters Hilda Moran Bitzelberger, Edna Moran Hill, Joan “Tootie” LeBlanc and Althia Moran Hebert. She is survived by daughter Mendi Smith Epperson; grandchildren Ashley and Edward Epperson; nieces Althia Dobbs, Cecilia Walton, Cynthia Sutton, Lynn O’Keefe, and Diane Miller; nephews Larry Hebert and Bob Hebert; and many other relatives. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 10-11 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m. at Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.