Willie L. (Painter) Smith

(Mrs.) Willie Lou Smith, devoted wife, mother, and Catholic, 93 years young, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 3, 2011, in the home of her devoted daughter, Debbie. All of her children, who loved her greatly, had gathered around her the day before as she received the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick. She was married to Charles Astor Smith on October 20, 1934.

Mrs. Smith, nee “Painter,” was born on July 28, 1917, to Alberta (Bacon) Painter and William Richmond (Papa) Painter, the second (or third) of five children, in Kinder, Louisiana. Her family moved to Lake Charles in the 1940s.

She was a member of St. Margaret’s Parish, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters for 60 years; she also served as a member of the Altar Society, was a leader of the Come, Lord Jesus group, was a Eucharistic Minister, as well as a member of the Young at Heart. She contributed much of her time to rolling bandages and gathering supplies for soldiers, baking cakes, and any other help the Catholic Daughters needed. She was also a Blue Bird and Cub Scout leader, and volunteer librarian at Immaculate Conception School.

Survivors include two sons, William Astor “Billy” Smith (wife Deanie) and Charles Anthony Smith (wife Debbie), of Lake Charles, six daughters, Mary Patricia Vincent (husband Norman John) of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Monica Anne Trahan, Loretta Guzman (husband Ralph), Belinda Smith, Pamela Smith, and Debra Louise Frazer (husband Edward), all of Lake Charles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Astor Smith, sons Alfred Lawrence Smith, Donald Joseph Smith, George Marcel Smith, and an infant daughter, Charlene Patricia Smith, two grandsons, Dr. Benjamin Joseph Molbert, and Anthony Gerard Foreman. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory 26 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 6, 2011, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. Father Allan Trouille will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, and on Thursday, January 6, from 8:00 a.m. until time of service. The Catholic Daughters will lead a rosary Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Cursillo Rosary.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.