Darrell "Hawk"Smith

"I refused to tiptoe quietly through life only to arrive safely at death." Our beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in Baton Rouge. After a long and courageous battle with pulmonary disease, his body gave in and his spirit was set free. He was 52. A memorial service in his honor will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 111000 Florida Blvd., this Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. until noon. A memorial "Last Ride" procession will immediately follow, ending at the VFW Hall, 13214 S. Choctaw Drive, for a special gathering in support of the family and friends he left behind. Hawk is survived by his two children, Crystal and husband Daniel Poore and Shawn Smith; his mother, Marlene Smith; his father and stepmother, Huey and Iris Smith; his four grandchildren, Joseph, Nathaniel, Morgan and Ethan Poore; three brothers, Kenny Smith, Bruce and wife Pearl Smith, and Carl and wife Shawna Smith; a special "brother" and friend, Bodie Land; three sisters, Susan Crochet, Helaine Smith and Mary and husband Danny Scott; five nieces, five nephews and several great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is also survived by numerous brothers and sisters of the Chapter 14 Southern Cruisers Riding Club, the Louisiana Road Riders, and the Patriot Guard Riders. He was a retired cross country truck driver and avid motorcycle rider. He was always able to put a smile on the face of everyone he met. The last years of his life were spent on his motorcycle with a special dedication to raising money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. He was loved by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Darrell P. Smith Memorial Fund at Capital One Bank to help with expenses.