Mabel P. Smith

Our hearts ache as we -- Dixie, Janis, Kathy, Marcia and Lonnie-- share with you that our Mother, Mabel Poirier Smith, known as “Miss Mabel”, passed away Wednesday morning, March 11, 2015. She was with us when we took our first breath and we were with her when she took her last.

Born to Rene L. Poirier and Irma Guidry Poirier, Mabel was one of five children born in Burton in St. James Parish on February 18, 1914, and died at the age of 101. The matriarch of a large family, she is gone from our physical presence but leaves behind many who will miss her dearly.

Mabel was proud of her ancestry having descended from one of the original Acadian families that settled in St. James Parish. An historical plaque on the church grounds marks the area settled by these resilient families.

A true refined southern lady with elegance and class, her talents were numerous. Mabel was a visionary who sewed and decorated her own home in Victorian style. She was an avid flower gardener and was known for having the most beautiful landscaped yard in her neighborhood. Photos were her passion and she kept scrapbooks of all the special events happening in her life. Mabel was a devout member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and was a former 23-year member of St. Anthony Church. Mabel belonged to the Altar Society, The Catholic Daughters of America, and the Court of St. Louis. She and James traveled extensively and were members of the Exxon Retirees Club - Fleur de Lis, Frolickers, the Big Timers, Ladies of Ball Masque, Ladies of Romany Mardi Gras Krewe and Krewe Mystique de la Capital, and one of the oldest members of Assemblee de la Francais Organization.

We are so proud of our mother for her 100 year legacy. She inspired in us, her daughters, that when your roots are planted in faith and ambition you are capable of reaching each milestone of life with trust in God first; strength of character; and perseverance in all the endeavors of life—she would never give up and pushed us to be all we could be. She and Dad provided us with the tools needed to build our lives. We stand proud to have been part of the 100 years of life of Mabel Poirier Smith, our mother with a capital “M”.

Mabel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 74 years, who worked as a supervisor at Exxon for 40 years , James Franklin Smith; her daughter, Brenda Smith Hebert; her brother, Rene L. Poirrier; two sisters Clemence Poirier Barrios and Frances Poirier; a grandson Joseph Ray Guitreau, Jr. and a great grandson Chazz Ashby.

Mabel is survived by one sister, Lois Poirier Hymel; her children Dixie and husband Joseph Ray Guitreau; Janis and husband Richard A. Ashby; son-in-law, Nelson W. Hebert; Kathleen and deceased husband Aubrey W. Young; Marcia and husband Richard Empson; and Lonnie and husband Thomas D. Daggett; all of Baton Rouge. Mabel has 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Avenue from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Reverend Cleo Milano. Interment will be at Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, masses are preferred.

Grandsons who will serve as casket bearers are Mark and Kevin Ashby, Andrew and James Guitreau, Troy Hebert, Charles Young, and Ryan Empson; and John Thomas Daggett as altar server. Granddaughters who will place the pall are Dana Guitreau Favaro, Stacie Rae Guitreau, Kathleen Ashby, Rhonda Hebert Ruffino, Ashley Young Munnerlyn, Katelyn Empson, Elizabeth Daggett Miller, Erin Daggett Regan, and Angelle Daggett.

We would like to thank Hospice of Baton Rouge and caregivers Lizz Lyons, Sandra Azar, Robert Nash, and Rose Tillman for their kind and professional care.