Nola Oleitta Smith, was born October 18, 1918 on Sand Mountain, Alabama, and went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the age of 99, in Shreveport, LA. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She grew up and graduated high school in Hiram, Georgia. She was baptized there at the age of eight.
Nola was married to Oscar Thomas (O.T.) Smith, founder of Trans-World Life Insurance Company. They moved to Shreveport from Powder Springs, Georgia in 1951. They attended Broadmoor Baptist Church for decades. They were married for 57 years, until O.T. went to be with the Lord on June 13, 1994.
Living twelve years alone after O.T.’s death, then, Nola moved to the Glen Retirement Home; a move she never regretted.
She is survived by her sons: Ronald E. Smith, Sr. of Shreveport, LA and O.T. Smith, Jr. and wife Cheryl of Baton Rouge, LA; and grandchildren: Linda G. Lewis and husband Tim of Olive Branch, MS; Ronald E. Smith, Jr. and wife Caro of Baton Rouge, LA; Christopher G. Smith and wife Tonya of The Woodlands, TX; Jennifer Rizzutto and husband Chad of Baton Rouge, LA .
Nola has 10 great grandchildren: Kennedy, Trey, Liz, Christian, McCoy, Camden, Gabby, Braxton, Ella and Hayden.
One of Nola’s favorite scriptures was II Corinthians 9:6 “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” As she was influenced by her mother Leila Naomi Newman, who lived to 89, she has left loving and lasting impressions upon her family and friends. And she leaves us with this thought: “Prayer is not to be invoked to ask God for things for oneself or for others. Rather Prayer is a medium through which I ask God to show me His will and give me the strength to carry out that will. Thank you, Father for that Privilege, – Nola”.
Visitation will be held at Centuries Funeral Home and Cemetery, 8801 Mansfield Road in Shreveport, LA; on Monday, April 02, 2018 from 10 am to 11:30 am. Close friends are invited to join the family at the graveside service immediately following the visitation. Officiating the services will be Ronald E. Smith Jr.
Pallbearers will be Ronald E. Smith, Jr., Christopher Smith, Tim Lewis, Chad Rizzutto, Trey Smith, McCoy Smith, Camden Smith. Honorary Pallbearers are Braxton Rizzutto and Hayden Rizzutto.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.
