Kay W Smith

Kay Waggenspack Smith passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, surrounded by her children after a courageous battle with leukemia. Kay was born on September 15, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the only child to Irma and Claude Waggenspack. Kay was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Donald Russell Smith.

As a little girl, Kay took the ferry boat from Burnside, Louisiana, to school at Ascension Catholic in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, where she cultivated lasting friendships that sustained her throughout her life. She moved to Baton Rouge in 1966 to attend Louisiana State University, where she earned a degree in education and met her husband, Don. After teaching middle school, Kay began her family, which was her most important life’s work.

Kay was the epitome of warmth, kindness, and grace. Kay was a confidant to many because she truly cared what people were carrying on their heart, and, in return, she was blessed with many wonderful friends. Her willingness to listen with compassion and without judgment was one of her greatest gifts, as was her ability to see the best in people and every circumstance. Her faith and positivity throughout her life was an inspiration to all and, despite her declining health, she always showed up for her loved ones with a beautiful smile, words of encouragement, and a humorous anecdote.

Kay was selflessly dedicated to her family, friends, and community. She faithfully cared for her husband, Don, through two battles with cancer, the second one while she was also fighting the illness. She supported him in his legal practice and through the Baton Rouge Bar Auxiliary. She was an active member at St. George and St. Aloysius Catholic Churches through eucharistic ministering and ministering to the sick. She organized and led her neighborhood civic association, was a docent at Magnolia Mound, and volunteered extensively with the Charity Ball of Baton Rouge and the U-High Mom’s Club. She drove for every field trip, ran the school concession stand, and hosted the Easter egg hunts in her beautiful yard, which brought her so much joy.

KayKay, as she was affectionately referred to by her 9 grandchildren and their friends, had the ability to make life brighter and festive for everyone, whether it was by cooking, hosting, cheerleading, flower arranging, painting, or sharing her passion for history and current events. She began every day with gratitude and calls from her 3 children, where she sincerely offered to help and received an update on her grandkids’ sports, performances, or school schedules that she would eagerly attend. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her, especially her children, grandchildren and cousins.

Kay is survived by her son Dr. Adrian Russell Smith and his wife Jessica, of Jackson, Mississippi, her daughters, Lauren Hensgens and her husband Scott, Gretchen Q=Petersen and her husband Preston, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her 9 wonderful grandchildren Olivia Ansley Smith, Luke Russell Smith, Samuel Covington Smith, Caroline Scott Hensgens, George Nikolaus Hensgens, Henry Russell Hensgens, Thomas Claude Q=Petersen, Adele Lauren Q=Petersen, and Helen Claire Q=Petersen. Visitation will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, followed by a funeral mass at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local blood bank.