Oakdale-Celebration of Life services honoring Elizabeth Gayle "Betty" Smith, 88, will be
held at 12 o'clock noon on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of
Oakdale. Rev. Danny Broussard and grandson Cameron Byrd will officiate. Mrs. Smith will be
laid to rest at Oakdale Cemetery immediately following her services.
The family will receive friends and visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of
Oakdale on Tuesday morning, January 30, 2024, from 9 o'clock a.m. until time of service.
Our mother was a kind, loving, and truly special woman who cared for her family deeply.
Over sixty years of marriage, she remained in love and devoted to her husband Norris until his
passing in 2016. She moved to Oakdale as a young child and fell in love with her little town,
remaining an active part of the community and her church for the rest of her life. But her
devotion to Oakdale was paired with a passion for adventure. She loved to travel with her
daughters, who cherish the memories of countless road trips with her. At the merest
suggestion, Mama would start packing-always ready hours ahead of time and with enough
snacks to feed the whole town. While working at Wheeler Chevrolet, Mama was introduced to
our dad, Norris Smith, by his sister Arlie. Norris and Betty quickly fell in love and soon were
married. She had a deep love for children, and for over twenty years she worked as a secretary
at Oakdale Elementary School. Outside of caring for her family and doting on her grandkids, she
loved gardening, painting, sewing, and cooking. She also loved her sons-in-law, who she often
referred to as her "angels." Her vibrancy, positivity, and love of life will be deeply missed. We'd
like to extend a special thanks, as we know our mother would, to Brenda, Tara, and Christina for
the love and care they gave to our mother. "Miss Betty" will be greatly missed by all who knew
and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Sara Smith Byrd (Tim), Ginger
Smith Kumler (Paul), and Carla Smith Doucet (Lance); one sister, Margaret Dorsett; one
brother-in-law, Burel Smith (Shirley); one special sister-in-law, Arlie Smith; six grandchildren,
David Kumler (Lizzie), Lauren Avance (Alex), Brian Byrd (Sara), Cameron Byrd (Sarah), Ethan
Doucet, Seth Doucet, seven great grandchildren, and multiple nieces.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Norris Smith; one son, Michael Ray Smith;
her parents, Thomas and Mel Marie Gill; and her brother, Thomas George Gill.
Pallbearers honored to serve are her grandchildren David Kumler, Brian Byrd, Cameron
Byrd, Alex Avance, Ethan Doucet, and Seth Doucet. Honorary pallbearers honored to serve are
her great grandchildren.
Condolences and words of comfort may be shared with the family at
www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.