DENISE MAUDE SMITH ZIFER, 63, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 26, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.

Denise loved children, golf, pets, reading, antique refinishing, decorating and the water – taking every opportunity to go to the beach or lake (she loved Lake Travis).

Our beloved Denise is survived by her husband Ron Zifer, daughter Jennifer Ann Carpenter(Smith) and son-in-law Joey Carpenter, son Matthew Smith ("Matt") and daughter-in-law Laurien Smith, five grandchildren (Chandler, Ryan, Taylor Ann Carpenter and Charlotte and Parker Smith), her sister Becky Frank, brothers Pat, Kevin and Mike Maude, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless dear friends. Denise is preceded in death by her mother Annette Maude and father Roy Maude of Kansas City. Denise grew up in Kansas City's Shawnee Mission and Overland Park communities, attending Shawnee South High School. Denise was very quiet and humble yet very talented. She was known by all for a servant heart, strong integrity, and a great work ethic. With Sysco Corporation, Denise was elevated quickly into a fine dining supervisory position where she excelled and was loved by staff and national and international corporation management members who visited Sysco . She later worked as a food broker and received company recognition as a McCormick Spices representative with Acosta brokerage. Denise loved pets and showed her entrepreneurial prowess as she started and operated a very successful pet sitting business until hit with cancer some years later.

Denise was very special; a devoted wife and mother of two, and friend of all. Denise loved the Lord and loved children and pets and it showed. She received specialized training and was certified to work with children. She served at church, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic school, and in Texas prisons. She served as Angel Tree Coordinator in the Katy area until moving to CyFair. Denise served as a Habitat for Humanity screener helping struggling families seeking housing. She served as a volunteer serving children at her church and her children's elementary school. Among other volunteer efforts for five years Denise co-taught a marriage class with her husband and served children of inmate offenders in Texas prisons as Angel Tree Coordinator for Second Baptist Katy. She took pictures of newborn babies in area hospitals for families of newborns. Denise loved children.

A longtime member of Second Baptist Church, Katy, and more recently Second Cypress, Denise loved her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. A Memorial Service will be held at Second Baptist Cypress (exit Hwy 290 near I-99 at the Mason Rd. exit). Internment will be at Klein Memorial Cemetery in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to your favorite children's cancer research organization. Excellent choices include: https://www.stjude.org/ ; https://childrenscancer.org ; https://curesearch.org/ .

Her favorite Bible verses include:  Luke 14:11, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." and Matthew 4:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven." Denise expressed these to many she loved, and she walked it out in her life.

She also loved the following:

"And if I go, while you're still here...

Know that I live on, vibrating to a

Different measure - behind a veil

You cannot see through.

You will not see me

So, you must have faith.

I wait for the time, so we can soar

together again, both aware

of each other.

Until then, live your life to its fullest .

And when you need me, just whisper

My name in your heart ..

I will be there."

(from "Ascension" by Colleen Hitchcock)

HE is.