Oberlin-Funeral service for Benton Thomas Smith, 82, will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church of Oberlin. Rev. Jacob Conner will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery of Soileau under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oberlin.

The family will receive visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oberlin from 3-9 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018.  The Holy Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.  Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until time of service.

Benton was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was born November 15, 1935 to Elie and Theolite (Aguillard) Smith in Branch, LA. He was a loving husband to his wife, Yvonne, for 56 years.  Benton worked as a farmer alongside his family to provide for those he loved. He was a dedicated member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.  Benton partook in frequent prayer and reflection. He had a caring heart, playful wit, and a Cajun spirit. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Benton's memory include his wife, Yvonne Shively; two daughters, Sandra Fontenot and husband, Larry, of Oberlin, and Tracy Maskas and husband, Jim, of Lakeland, Florida; one brother, Leonard Smith and wife, Evaline, of DeRidder; one sister, Gertrude Daigle of Church Point; nine grandchildren, Thomas Fontenot, Katie Ortego, and Justin Fontenot of Oberlin, Maria Guilbeau of Dallas, Texas, and Catherine Guilbeau of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ellie Maskas, Victoria Maskas, Olivia Maskas, and James Maskas of Lakeland, Florida; and four great grandchildren, Eli Fontenot, Nicholas, Tatum and Lauren Ortego.

Benton is preceded in death by his parents, Elie and Theolite; daughter, Eve Smith Guilbeau; two brothers, Elmo Smith and J.C. Smith; and two sisters, Margie Poimboeuf and Faye McMahon.