Rena Earlene Goodrich of Tampa, Florida, passed away peacefully after a long illness on December 6, 2025, at St. Andrews Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born on February 22, 1941, in Springer, New Mexico, to Earl and Margaret Helen (Ledbetter) Goodrich. She was raised in the Texas Panhandle, where she helped her parents on their farm and ranch. She graduated Valedictorian from Hartley High. She helped the relocation of the ranch to S.E. Colorado shortly after high school.
Rena studied English at Panhandle A&M in Goodwell, Oklahoma, graduating at the top of her class. She went on to work as a high school English teacher. She married Melvin Lee Abbott, who served in active duty for the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Together they had two sons, Robin Earl Abbott, born in 1965, and Kelly Gene Abbott, born in 1971. After their divorce, she moved to California in 1973.
In California, she married Bernard Lee Price, and they had a daughter, Valorie Alexis “Lexie” Price, born in 1977. Following that marriage, Rena returned to Colorado, where she continued her education in Pueblo and earned an Associate Degree in medical transcription.
She worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist. In 1997, she moved to Florida and began working for a software company.
One of Rena’s lifelong passions was the study of health and nutrition. She retained a deep love of learning and language throughout her life and considered herself a student of life and philosophy—always curious and thoughtful—and carried that spirit with her until the end.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Margaret Goodrich; her son, Robin Abbott; and her granddaughter, Sierra Faith Abbott. She is survived by her daughter, Alexis “Lexie” (Michael) Sexsmith; granddaughter, Ayla Sexsmith; grandsons, Camden (Laura) and Koen Sexsmith; her son, Kelly (Trish) Abbott; granddaughter, Cheyenne (Rocky) Bellotti; and great-grandsons, Paxton and Milo and a baby boy Bellotti due in March 2026.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of Scientology in Tampa, Florida, on December 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
A funeral service and interment beside her parents and son will be held in Colorado for family and any friends who wish to attend. Details will be announced when arrangements are finalized.”
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