Fascinating subject + skilled writer = great obituary

You don't have to be rich or famous to warrant a great obituary. You just have to live an interesting life -- and catch the attention of a top-notch journalist.

Maureen O'Donnell, obituary writer for The Chicago Sun-Times and the former president of The Society of Professional Obituary Writers, is one such reporter and her obit of Florence Jones-Smith is a must-read. 

Let me entice you with her lede: 

Florence Jones-Smith grew up the 13th of 15 children in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, and she kept a wisp of cotton in a glass jar to remind herself she never wanted to go back. 

“This represents the first and last cotton I ever picked,” she’d say.

Click here to read the rest of Florence's fascinating life story.