Cynthia Smith Sopher, 83, of Venice, Florida, was welcomed home into the arms of her Savior in the early morning hours of April 12th, 2026, after a short yet courageous battle with cancer. 

Known to many as Cindy, or "Grandmama" to her grandchildren, she was a free spirit and a light in any room she entered. Cindy was never afraid of death or what life placed in her path. She lived with unwavering faith and a deep belief in eternal life with Christ.

Cindy was born on June 28th, 1942, in Columbus, Ohio, to Evelyn Hartman and Laird Smith. She spent her early years in Bexley, Ohio, before moving to Garden Grove, California, where she attended high school. After graduating, she married and embraced her military life and moved frequently before eventually returning to Columbus, where she raised her three boys--her greatest pride and joy.

For many years, Cindy worked in the Department of Civil Engineering at The Ohio State University, where she shared her creativity and warmth, forming lasting relationships with faculty and students. She deeply valued her time and community at OSU.

Most of her adult life was spent in Grandview Heights, Ohio, where she became a familiar and beloved presence at Johnnie's on Glenn Avenue, just steps from her home. Her home was more than a place to visit, it was a space of friendship and connection. Cindy's home always reflected her spirit--open, welcoming, and full of life.

She was known for her elaborate fairy garden and the peaceful sounds of her backyard pond, where she could often be found tending plants, rearranging flowers, or planting something new while softly whistling. Cindy had a natural eye for beauty--whether in interior design, painting, or sketching--and she brought creativity into everything she touched. 

She also loved to sew and, in recent years, became known for her handmade clutches, each crafted with care and personality. In the mornings, she could often be found bird watching, content in the quiet rhythm of nature and able to identify each bird by name and call. 

A devoted Ohio State fan, Cindy carried her Buckeye pride throughout her life, sharing it through generations and family traditions. Her love for her home state, community, and especially her family shaped a life marked by generosity, creativity, and heart. 

Cindy was deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, creating lasting traditions and memories--from Thanksgiving in the Hocking Hils to handwritten cards and rides in her Volkswagen Beetle convertible. Her presence was constant, loving, and full of joy. 

While her time on earth never felt like enough for those who loved her, Cindy is now at peace and has returned Home. Though her absence is deeply felt, there is comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain and is fully embraced in the presence of her Savior. Her legacy lives on in the love she gave and the lives she shaped. 

Cindy is preceded in death by her parents, Laird Smith and Evelyn Hartman; her son, Scott Moreland; daughter-in-law, Shelly Moreland; brother, Laird Smith; sister, Emily Sugar; and many extended family members. 

She is survived by her children, Chris (Tracy) Moreland and Tom (Mimi) Moreland; her grandchildren, Sunny (Payton) Domagalski, Tommy Moreland, Molly Moreland, and Jason Williams; her brothers Rob and Kevin Smith; and many extended family members.

A celebration of life honoring her memory will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mountview Christian Church, 2140 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio, 43221. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and share in remembering her life.