Obituary for Donald "Smitty" Smith Sr.
Funeral services for Donald R. Smith, Sr. will be held at First Baptist Church of Swartz on Monday, February 17, 2020 at 12:00 pm with visitation at the church at 10:00 am prior to the service. Rev. Aaron Dickenson together with Rev. Roger Staupher will officiate the services under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home.
Don was born March 7, 1937 in Crowville, La. Don died peacefully Tuesday February 11, 2020 after a brief illness. Don was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Smith and Tamer Smith Manning, sister Elaine Smith, brothers Charles Smith & Larry Manning and infant daughter Elizabeth Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years Betty Peden Smith, two sons Donald R. Smith, Jr. and wife Brenda Smith, Daniel G. Smith, daughter Diane R. Smith, sister Judy Cryer and husband Waigne Cryer, brothers-in-law David Peden, Bobby Peden and wife Alice Peden, sister-in-law Harriet Manning and many nieces and nephews.
Don attended Crowville High School until his family relocated to Monroe where he graduated from Ouachita Parish High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was on hand to see the nuclear bomb explosion in the South Pacific in 1956.
After serving his country, Don worked at Sears & Roebuck for 33 years. After retiring, he continued to work as a security guard for the P&S Surgery building. He loved sports and for many years coached Little League Baseball.
Don loved music all of his life. He played the harmonica and sang in his church choir. Over the last several years, he played with many other musicians at several churches who offer monthly Senior Adult music programs. One church in particular was close to his heart – Memorial Baptist Church. Don enjoyed many happy hours singing and playing and worshipping with his musical friends.
His family would like to thank the staff at St. Francis Medical Center ICU unit for making Don’s last few days comfortable.
Don was born March 7, 1937 in Crowville, La. Don died peacefully Tuesday February 11, 2020 after a brief illness. Don was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Smith and Tamer Smith Manning, sister Elaine Smith, brothers Charles Smith & Larry Manning and infant daughter Elizabeth Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years Betty Peden Smith, two sons Donald R. Smith, Jr. and wife Brenda Smith, Daniel G. Smith, daughter Diane R. Smith, sister Judy Cryer and husband Waigne Cryer, brothers-in-law David Peden, Bobby Peden and wife Alice Peden, sister-in-law Harriet Manning and many nieces and nephews.
Don attended Crowville High School until his family relocated to Monroe where he graduated from Ouachita Parish High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was on hand to see the nuclear bomb explosion in the South Pacific in 1956.
After serving his country, Don worked at Sears & Roebuck for 33 years. After retiring, he continued to work as a security guard for the P&S Surgery building. He loved sports and for many years coached Little League Baseball.
Don loved music all of his life. He played the harmonica and sang in his church choir. Over the last several years, he played with many other musicians at several churches who offer monthly Senior Adult music programs. One church in particular was close to his heart – Memorial Baptist Church. Don enjoyed many happy hours singing and playing and worshipping with his musical friends.
His family would like to thank the staff at St. Francis Medical Center ICU unit for making Don’s last few days comfortable.