A Mass of Christian Burial for Lt. Colonel Marie Smith will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral with Rev. Dan O'Connor, Rev. Robert Garrione and Rev. Pedro Sierra officiating. Interment will be at Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son.

Lt. Colonel Marie Smith, 92, of Alexandria passed away March 18, 2014 at Regency House. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014 and again Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. till 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014 in the chapel of John Kramer & Son.

A native of Lecompte, Miss Smith graduated from Lecompte High School in 1939. After receiving her nursing degree from Schumpert Memorial School of Nursing in Shreveport in 1943, she joined the Army Air Corps and served as a flight nurse from 1944-1945, and on subsequent tours during the 1950's. On her return from military service, she worked at Baptist Hospital, now Rapides Regional Medical Center, then at the newly opened St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, where she helped set up its surgical suites.

In 1955, Miss Smith was recommissioned in the Air Force in the capacity of operating room nurse, with assignments both stateside and overseas that included tours of duty throughout the U.S. as well as in Europe, Japan, the Pacific Islands and India.

In 1969, she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On her retirement in 1973, she returned to Louisiana, living in Lecompte, Alexandria and Shreveport before settling permanently in Alexandria. A devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in her last years, Miss Smith was active in church organizations and one of the first Eucharistic ministers. She made several pilgrimages during her lifetime, most notably to Rome, Lourdes, Medjugore, and the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Smith, Sr. and Carolyn Poye Smith; sisters, Rosa Smith and Emma Vermaelen and brothers, Tony, Frank Jr., Philip, Joe and Louis.

Those left to cherish her memory include many nieces and nephews and their respective families.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be: Derwood Delaney, Rickey Roberts, Tommy Smith, Paul Smith, James Vermaelen and Michael Jung.

Honorary pallbearers are Frank Smith, III, David Smith, Michael Vermaelen and Tim Holloway.

Memorials or donations may be made to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria, LA or to St. Martin Catholic Church Building Fund, Lecompte, LA.

Miss Smith's family extends its gratitude to the wonderful staff at Regency House and to HCOA Hospice Alexandria for their excellent managed care. A special thanks goes to her four devoted, loving caregivers.

BURIAL
Alexandria Memorial Gardens
Woodworth, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, USA