Audrey Coustaut Smith

Peacefully, on July 9, 2023 in Fort Washington, MD, Audrey passed on to her eternal rest. Born on December 13, 1923 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Emile and Sylvia Wainie Coustaut. She was the eldest of five children. After spending most of her life in her birth city, Audrey relocated to Maryland in 2005.

After high school, Audrey attended Straight Business College and studied bookkeeping, and later clerked at Labranche Drugstore and Keystone Life Insurance company. Additionally, she was a secretary and substitute teacher at her daughters’ elementary school.

Audrey married Manuel Smith in 1946, and they remained married for 44 years until the date of his passing.

During the 1960’s when voting rights were granted to African-Americans, individuals would call at her home and she would sit with them and assist in completing the required voter registrations, advising them also what would be asked of them in order to register.

Her passions included raising her children, grandchildren, sewing, gardening, and later in life – genealogy. She did extensive family history research starting in the 1980’s and has built a foundation and legacy which continues to this day.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Manuel, four siblings, son-in-law Clarence Edwards, and two great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three daughters, Karen Edwards, Stephanie Brown (Terence), and Dr. Maureen Wright (Gregory); three grandchildren David Edwards (Stephanie), Steven Edwards (Dr. Akita Evans), and Jessica Wright Winfield (Jay) ; five great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Grayson, Audrey, Elliott and David Edwards, four nieces, cousins, a grand-goddaughter, a devoted friend Alicia Ferguson, and many other dear friends.

The family is especially grateful to the personnel at the Fort Washington Health Center where she resided for many years. Special thanks to her nurse Giah, her aide Carol, and the entire 3rd floor staff for the care they gave during her residence there.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be sent to:

Brown Family

P. O. Box 35

Clinton, MD 20735

Funeral services to be conducted in New Orleans. LA on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. David Catholic Church, 5617 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117 - 504.947.2853