Florence Elizabeth Randles

Florence Elizabeth Wilson Hill Randles, 90, passed away January 8, 2019, in her home in Cortez, CO. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 12th at 10:00 a.m.at Ertel Funeral Home, 42 N. Market St., Cortez. Graveside services will be at Fairview Cemetery in Yellow Jacket, CO. A reception will follow.
Florence was born in her grandfather’s 12 room home on Mildred Rd. north of Cortez on October 18, 1928 to James Edwin and Mildred (Finley) Wilson, the first of 4 children. She was raised on their farm in Yellow Jacket where they raised and grew their living. She attended Fairview school, Pleasant View school, and graduated from Durango High School in 1946. She then attended the old Fort Lewis College to become a teacher and later obtained her B.A. from the Fort in 1971. She married Walter Hill in 1949. They had 4 daughters, Glenna Kay, Judy Ann, Janet Faye, & Ellen Florence. They lived in Fruita, Rangely in the oil fields, Grand Junction on their dairy, Dove Creek on their pinto bean farm, and in Dolores where Florence was a teacher. Walter died July 21, 1973 after 15 years of hurting having been injured in the oil fields. On April 27, 1974, she married Elbert Randles and moved to Cortez. She had 3 step children, Arthur, Mary, and Larry. Between them they had 21 grand grandchildren. What fun it was for them to watch them grow. They’ve enjoyed their dozens of great grandchildren and even 2 great, great grandchildren as well. Elbert and Florence loved to travel, seeing most of the 50 states. They danced and bowled and played, having a hard time being still.
Florence has been a teacher, farmer, dairy hand, and cafe worker. She liked to crochet, do crafts, and keep her scrapbooks and history books. She has left a legacy of historical record and memories for everyone to access for generations to come.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Martha Faris, her husbands, a step-daughter, Mary Perkins, grandchildren Darin Darby, great grandchildren, Dalton LaLonde and Camryn Darby and beloved nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her daughters Glenna (Art) Malcom, Judy (Ed) Sanders, Janet (Charlie) Otero, and Ellen (Steve) Robinson, her sister Mary Ellen McComb of Cortez, brother Elza Wilson of Grand Junction, along with those countless grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is beloved by countless friends. She leaves behind a life well-lived.