Naomi Josephine Smith Odenwald Labrousse

With hearts full of gratitude, we remember and celebrate the life of Naomi Josephine Smith Odenwald LaBrousse, a remarkable woman who lived 94 vibrant years. Naomi passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2nd, her spirit as bright and joyful as ever. To all who knew her, she was a light – an unending source of love, laughter, and wisdom.

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, Manship Smith Sr. and Naomi Alverez Guerra Smith Giardina; her brother, Manship Smith Jr. (affectionately known as Brother, and his wife Jane Austin Smith); her beloved first husband, Joseph Odenwald; and her cherished second husband, Jean LaBrousse. Her legacy lives on in her family: her siblings CarolLyn Smith Hoffmann (Don), Edgar Smith (Cathy), and Herbert Smith, along with a host of nieces and nephews: Betsy Smith Manship McGehee (Mark), Manship Smith III, a.k.a. Skipper (Flora), Hollis Hoffmann Roche (Donald), Tracy Hoffmann Bayley (Darren), Leslie Smith Bridgewater (Robert), Emily Smith, and Jody Smith (Whitnee). Her great-nieces and nephews: Brennan Roche, Ashlyn Roche, Naomi Bayley, Cameron Bayley, Robert Bridgewater, Lee Bridgewater, Bailey Bridgewater, Louis Manship, Connor McGehee, Manship Smith IV, Hendrix Smith and Miles Smith.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Naomi’s roots ran deep in the heart of uptown. She attended Wilson Elementary School, McMain Girls High School, and then Secretarial School. Her first job was at Jim Beam Bourbon Company, which then led to her distinguished 25-year career at New Orleans Public Service Inc. There, she she began working for the purchasing department, and was a chairman of the NOPSI-ettes, the Hospitality Committee, a floor lieutenant, a reporter for The Spur (the official NOPSI Magazine), a member of the Choraliers (the NOPSI Choir Group), as well as Chairwoman of the Women’s Activities Committee. Widely noticed for her skills and talents, Naomi was promoted to the Legal Department where she was the secretary for the NOPSI attorneys, until her retirement.

In 1963, at the age of 33, she married the love of her life, Joe Odenwald, and together they built a life full of laughter, family, and faith.

Upon retiring from NOPSI, Naomi embraced a new career path, earning her real estate license and joining the family business, Edgar E. Smith Realty. She and Joe later purchased the company and renamed it Odenwald Real Estate, where they worked side by side for 15 years. Following a move to Folsom, Louisiana, she continued her real estate journey with Grille Properties, a role that kept her connected to her community and the land she loved.

Naomi’s passions were as varied as they were joyful. Family was the most important thing to her and spending time together was the true way to her happiness. She was also a songbird at heart, singing with grace at Napoleon Avenue Methodist Church in New Orleans, and later at First Baptist Church in Folsom. Her voice was a gift she shared often, gracing weddings, special events, and church gatherings with her heartfelt songs. Her love of photography was yet another way she captured the beauty around her – friends, flowers, food, and her beloved animals.

And, of course, there was her cooking. Naomi’s kitchen was a place of warmth, where family and friends gathered to savor meals crafted with love. Her dishes were legendary, and her table was always beautifully set, welcoming everyone to linger, laugh, and create lasting memories.

In later years, Naomi and Joe retired to Folsom, where they embraced the peaceful rhythms of country life. They began building their dream home on a former Tung Oil Tree farmland. Though Joe passed away in 1997, Naomi went on to complete their vision. Soon after, she reconnected with a high school sweetheart, Jean LaBrousse, and they married in 1998. Together, they traveled widely, from Disney World to Alaska, the Caribbean, Branson, and beyond – filling Naomi’s life with new adventures well into her golden years.

After Jean’s passing in 2014, Naomi found companionship and adventure at Christwood. She traveled to France with newfound friends and joined a family cruise to Mexico, reconnecting with her extended Guerra family. Through it all, her faith remained her guiding light, and her love for the Lord was unwavering.

To her family, she was “MiMi,” “Mitas,” and “Mita” – a woman of endless grace and generosity. Her laughter & warmth continue to inspire us. We are eternally grateful for the beautiful life she shared with each of us, her spirit living forever in our hearts.

With love and remembrance, we celebrate Naomi’s life and the joy she brought to all.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff and caregivers of Christwood and St. Tammany Hospice.

A Celebration of Life honoring Naomi will be held from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Christwood Senior Living in The Premier Garden Room, 100 Christwood Blvd. in Covington, Louisiana, on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Service begins at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or HeartGift Louisiana (www.HeartGift.org)

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com