Elsie Frederick Salter’s life journey began on June 9th, 1940 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Elsie was the third of eleven children born to Marion Frederick Sr. and Bessie Frederick Broadneaux. She matriculated through the St. Lucie County school system, spending some time attending Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and ultimately graduated from Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Her work ethic showed at a young age. When she was seven, she started working at Ann’s Coffee Shop. She stood on a box washing dishes with her mother. Through multiple jobs and ventures, Elsie was known as an Entrepreneur, Trailblazer, and community servant. In 1977, she started caring for five children in her home. Already owning the land, she decided to take the kids out of her house and do more. This lead “Mommie Elsie” to become a co-owner of the Learning Tree Academy, which has become a pillar and light in the community for countless children and families. As an educational advocate, she understood the importance of continuing education, which she exemplified by attending Indian River State College and receiving her Associate of Arts degree in Education.

“Mommie Elsie” always had a passion for the community. In 1976, Elsie and her husband opened a gas station; which was eventually called “Little Quick Check” because it provided hot breakfast and lunch for truck drivers, labor workers and the local community. During these years no other gas station served hot food, so the fact that fried Fish, fried chicken, grits and scrambled eggs were served daily was innovative. The preparations would begin as early as 4am in her home; and everybody had to get up and work. Along with the family support, the business was evidence of God opening so many doors. This local business not only provided hot meals; it was also a platform for “Mommie Elsie” to expand her outreach and serve while impacting the community. She never knew a “stranger” and would help anyone. It is impossible to number the people her life has touched. Often her home housed “visitors”; even “strangers”. Many became her children, to whom she provided food, shelter, discipline and love. She didn’t believe in sparing the rod.

In 1964, Mama Elsie experienced a miracle and committed her life to Christ under the leadership of Dr. Elder John Robinson, Jr. at Church of God By Faith during choir rehearsal. Elder Robinson told her that if she accepted Christ in her life, God would heal her dying daughter, Yvette. “Mommy Elsie” knew the mercies of God and was able to witness many others soon accept Christ. She later joined Immanuel Full Gospel Church under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth Bell, Sr. Carrying over her love for education into serving her church, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and working with the Youth. Her desire and love for children would go beyond teaching them in the classroom to picking children up to attend Sunday School weekly. And providing a hot breakfast before taking them to Sunday School. She would even call their parents on Saturday to remind them what time to have them ready for pick up on Sunday mornings. Even when she was in the hospital, she told Yvette to go pick up “those children” and take them to church. Mamma Elsie enjoyed visiting the “sick and shut-in”, those hospitalized and those in nursing homes. It was not strange to hear a knock on the door or a phone call from Mommie Elsie saying “I miss you” and “I love you”.

At a young age she wed Williams Keels Sr. Later, she met and married her “Sugar” Charlie Salter, Sr. Elsie and Charles celebrated over 55 years of marriage.

Along with her parents and husband, Charles, Elsie was also preceded in death by her brothers: Marion, Artura, Mansfred Sr. (Ann) and Wyman (Maxine) Frederick. Daughter Cynthia Salter-Green (Johnnie); Brother-in-law(s), Lawrence Sr. (Eunice), Joe, (Ozella), James (Ruth) , George (Rose) Salter and William Bradshaw (Bettye); Sister-in-law, Ida Frederick (Lerel Sr.); and a grandson, Charles Keels.

Those left to cherish her memory and continue her Legacy are: Her children, William Keels Jr, Charlie Salter Jr, Yvette Salter Landers (Amos), and Eutonia Bell Collier (Robert). Her grandchildren: Johnnie III, Charles and Vincent Green; William, Jeremy and Malcolm Keels; Jasmine Stephen (Timothy), Desiree, Christopher and Brandon Salter; Kristian, Patience, Amos II and Austin (Dena) Landers; Harley Curtis and Braylon Collier. Her great grandchildren: Johnnie III, Jeremiah, Jacob, Charles Jr., Darius, Haley, Vincent, Brice, Carmen, Bennie III, Zoe, Blake, Bryce, Janiyah, Alani, Ocean, Vito, Courtland, Josiah, Bryson, Mckenzi, M’Kylee, Myles, Maliyah and Azariah. Her siblings: Bettye Frederick-Bradshaw, Lerel Frederick Sr., Maxine Frederick-Reese, Yvette Broadneaux-Ponder (William), Dwight Broadneaux (Greg), Debbie Broadneaux-Jean and Willieetta Broadneaux. Her brother-in-laws: Tony (Jewelmene), and Jessie (Clefornia) Salter. Her sister-in-laws: Maxine Frederick, Sadie (Jerrold) Black, Carolyn Blanche (Llamad), and Gloria Dean Payton. Her God children: Dudley Adderley, Gilda Anderson, Willie Castro, Nakai Clark, Cleona Culver, Vera Dawson, Derrick Gainey, Bernice Hanson, Yakima Hickman, Elsie and Elise Janvier (named in her honor), Catherine Knight, Elijah and Alicia Major, Kesha McGee, Gary McKinnon, Leroy Watkins III, Bruce Wright, Keisha, Rich and Bessley Touissant, Her best friend, Ethel “Bay” McGee-Green, Brother’s and Sister’s in love: Pamela Reddick, Barbara Wiggins, Terry and Shirley Hines, The Lincoln Park Academy Class of 1958, and Mama Elsie’s host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family’s, business colleagues and staff.

Public visitations for Elsie Frederick Salter will take place on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 1:00pm-6:00pm and Friday, August 12, 2022 from 12:00pm-4:00pm at Immanuel Full Gospel Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL. Wake services will convene on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Resurrection Life Family Worship Center in Fort Pierce, FL. Final Visitations will convene on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 9:00am-11:00am which will be followed by a celebration of her life which will begin promptly at 11:00am at Christ Fellowship Church in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Burial will immediately follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Although many venues have opened and the restrictions of COVID-19 have been relaxed, we at Stone Brothers Funeral Homes are still enforcing the guidelines set forth by the CDC and FDOH to protect our families and our staff. We ask that you respect this, as it could very well save your life. We also ask that you acknowledge and execute the 6 feet social distancing guidelines as well.