Penny Smith

July 25, 1964-October 22, 2019

Penny Smith was a devoted wife and partner to Jeffery A. Smith, a loving mother of four and a dedicated, Christ-loving member of Word of God Ministries, where she shared the love of Christ with family, friends and everyone she met.

Everyone who met Penny got a smile, and often a hug. Everyone who met Penny was warmed by the spirit of Jesus Christ as her heavenly glow and soul came through with each and every connection. There was little networking for Penny because everyone she met was family or a friend almost immediately. She instilled the love of God in others by example, showing that we all have far more in common than we have differences. Meeting Penny was meeting one of God’s earthly angels. Her bright smile and pleasant personality were warm welcomes as she met people for the first time, sometimes surprising them with big embraces and even gentle kisses for special greetings. Penny regularly reached out and touched people, figuratively and literally, online and in person. She hugged complete strangers, and family and close friends knew as they approached to expect powerful and warm Penny welcomes, even if she had seen you just the day before.

Love was how Penny lived. She loved God, loved her family and loved her friends. She loved the life that God blessed her to live, and she wanted others to appreciate it the way she did.

Penny was a retired military spouse and supporter of all those affiliated with the many U.S. Air Force bases she and her husband, Minister Chief (retired) Jeffery A. Smith, had the pleasure to serve. Penny was a member of the Air Force contracting and the Air Force chaplain communities, touching the lives of many as a sister to brothers and sisters in Christ and as an adopted mom to many children and young adults. The mother of four was a big football mom, and one of the biggest fans of the Haughton Bucs. Penny hardly missed a game, and it didn’t matter whether her sons were on the field in the game or contributing from the sideline. She wanted the most for her twin boys and their teammates.

Penny’s love for her twins was comparable only to the love God has for His children. Having been blessed with the boys after 16 years of trying she was willing to do anything to ensure they knew they were loved. She became a stay-at-home mom for the first 12 years of their lives so her wonder twins could come home to a loving mother every day after school. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that was too good for her boys, her life.

She frequently talked with her daughter Syreeta, checking on her asking how she was doing, how is Tim but most often the conversations revolved around her three grandsons. Nothing was more important than her babies. She was always saying “you can send them to stay with nana”. Regardless the conversation she could not hang up without saying goodbye and I love you at least 3 times.

When Penny talked with her oldest son Jeff, she always affirmed how much we loved him and there was nothing he needed to do to earn our love. She fussed at him for not communicating more and then the conversation would always turn to her grandbabies again. She was blessed to see her youngest grandchild, King before God called her home.

Penny was Jeff’s earthly queen and the daughter of God he wanted as his wife. Together, they were a clear and present example of what God intends marriage to be. The love they shared was evident with their glances and looks, their cooperation and the way they handled differences. When Jeff met Penny, it was magic. It wasn’t certain that this would be the match made in heaven that it became, but there’s no question that Jeff had to make a significant play to bring Penny into his life and to change his life forever. It was always Jeff and Penny, Penny and Jeff.

Penny’s hobbies included taking family photos and videos and posting them on social media for family and friends to enjoy. Her hobbies were anything for her family, taking pictures, recording videos of her husband and sons and loving on everyone she met. She also enjoyed baking and cooking, reading, travel and spending time with family and friends. Penny never met a stranger.

Penny was born July 25, 1964 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. She was raised in Thailand and North Highlands, CA, where she and Jeff met. She attended Larchmont Elementary School, Don Julio Middle School and graduated from Highlands High School. She earned Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in Management and Project Management from Colorado Technical University.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Pan Shonkratok Hickman, North Highlands, CA; her father, Lum Chornkhokord, Thailand; her stepdad, Edward Hickman, North Highlands, CA, and her father-in-love, Clinton Smith Sr., Riviera Beach, FL.

She is survived by her soulmate and husband of 32 years, Jeffery A. Smith; a daughter, Syreeta Jennings (Timothy) of Spokane, Washington, and three sons, Jeffrey II (Rowena) of Killeen, TX and wonder twins Josiah and Joshua. Also surviving are mother-in-love Frances Smith of Riviera Beach, FL; two sisters, Nitya Judal (Angel) of Antelope, CA and Kathryn Olearnick (Jerome) of Palm Desert, CA; three brothers-in-love, Clinton Smith Jr. (Sheryl) of New Orleans, LA, Angel Judal of Antelope, CA and Jerome Olearnick of Palm Desert, CA as well as sister-in-love Cassandra Smith-Burney of West Palm Beach, FL. In addition, she is survived by grandsons Tzion, Tzureil and Tzachai Jennings of Spokane, WA, and Xavier and King Smith of Killeen, TX. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Khilah Smith of Pittsburgh, PA, and a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in Penny’s name to KultureCity at https://www.kulturecity.org or the American Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes.org/

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PENPRAPA (PENNY) SMITH

A Celebration of Life for Penny Smith will be held at Word of God Ministries on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 12 p.m. Pastor James McMenis will officiate at the church, located at 6645 Industrial Loop, Shreveport, LA 71129. A repast will be held at The Warrior Network, 4000 Viking Drive Suite A, Bossier City, LA 71111.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, LA.

Penny was a devoted member of Word of God, where she shared the love of Christ with family, friends and everyone she met. Penny was a retired military spouse and supporter of all those affiliated with the many U.S. Air Force bases she and her husband, Minister Chief (retired) Jeffery A. Smith had the pleasure to serve. Penny was a member of the Air Force contracting and the Air Force chaplain communities, touching the lives of many as a sister to brothers and sisters in Christ and as an adopted mom to many children and young adults. The mother of four was a big football mom, and one of the biggest fans of the Haughton Bucs.

Penny’s hobbies included taking family photos and videos and posting them on social media for family and friends to enjoy. Her hobbies were anything for her family, taking pictures, recording videos of her husband and sons and loving on everyone she met. She also enjoyed baking and cooking, reading, travel and spending time with family and friends. Penny never met a stranger.

Penny was born July 25, 1964 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. She was raised in Thailand and North Highlands, CA, where she and Jeff met. She attended Larchmont Elementary School, Don Julio Middle School and graduated from Highlands High School. She earned Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in Management and Project Management from Colorado Technical University.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Pan Shonkratok Hickman, North Highlands, CA; her father, Lum Chornkhokord, Thailand; her stepdad, Edward Hickman, North Highlands, CA, and her father-in-love, Clinton Smith Sr., Riviera Beach, FL.

She is survived by her soulmate and husband of 32 years, Jeffery A. Smith; a daughter, Syreeta Jennings (Timothy) of Spokane, Washington, and three sons, Jeffrey II (Rowena) of Killeen, TX and wonder twins Josiah and Joshua. Also surviving are mother-in-love Frances Smith of Riviera Beach, FL; two sisters, Nitya Judal (Angel) of Antelope, CA and Kathryn Olearnick (Jerome) of Palm Desert, CA; three brothers-in-love, Clinton Smith Jr. (Sheryl) of New Orleans, LA, Angel Judal of Antelope, CA and Jerome Olearnick of Palm Desert, CA as well as sister-in-love Cassandra Smith-Burney of West Palm Beach, FL. In addition, she is survived by grandsons Tzion, Tzureil and Tzachai Jennings of Spokane, WA, and Xavier and King Smith of Killeen, TX. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Khilah Smith of Pittsburgh, PA, and a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be the 2nd Contracting Squadron.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in Penny’s name to KultureCity at https://www.kulturecity.org or the American Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes.org/