Kara Rousseau Smith

Kara Rousseau Smith passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026. During her lifetime she participated actively in several churches, including Blessed Sacrament in New Orleans, Louisiana, St. Joseph's in East Orange, New Jersey and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Palm Coast, Florida, where she was an active member in the Storming Heaven Prayer Warriors and the Black Catholic Guild. She relocated to Palm Coast, Florida after her retirement from college administration in Newark, New Jersey. She was a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an alumna of Xavier University of Louisiana, and Louisiana State University.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Laurence Smith, in 2013. She leaves to treasure her memory one son, Lance Rousseau Smith of Palm Coast, Florida, two daughters, Lauryn (Gary) Jones of Marietta, Georgia, Kara (Raymond) Russell of Jacksonville, Florida, one sister, Rhoyia Hope Crozier (Joan Rousseau), of Jackson, Mississippi, four grandchildren: Candice (Danny) Daniel, Christina (Fredrick) Gantt, Danielle (David) Shaw, and Garrett (McKenzie) Jones. She was the proud great-grandmother of Jaxson Jones, Gabriel Shaw, Hunter Daniel, Devin Gantt, and Kameron Jones. Also left to celebrate her life is a sister-in-law Yvonne Dukes, special cousins Dante Gray, Dr. Jonas (Pat) Williams, and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, Florida 32164, on June 30, 2026, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial offerings to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School or to Xavier University of Louisiana.

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