Charlotte Barbara Oakes Smith

Charlotte Smith was born March 26, 1928 in Haverhill, New Hampshire, and passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012 in her residence. A 1946 graduate of Littleton High School in Littleton, New Hampshire, she served active duty in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. A fifty year resident of Gonzales, she was retired from Capitol Steel in Baton Rouge. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family’s camp, traveling, and playing bingo. Active in both Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Gautreau-Williams Post #81 American Legion, her long time service was recognized by several awards from these organizations. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Robert B. “Bob” Smith; her parents, Leslie Gavin Oakes and Mildred Callahan Oakes; and her brother, Richard Oakes. Left to cherish her memory are her three children; Richard B. Smith and wife Stephanie, of Lake Charles, Carl Bradley “Brad” Smith, of Denham Springs, and Rita Lanoux and husband Lynn, of Gonzales; six grandchildren, Sandy and Megan Hyatt, Robert and Emily Smith, and Shana and Ryon Lanoux; two great grandchildren, Ryleigh and Ryder Lanoux; two sisters, Madeline Allen, of Cohoes, New York, and Rena Tessier, of Hickory, Tennessee; and her beloved pet, Doc. A visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. The Rev. Alec Sheldon will preside over a Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church. Entombment with military honors will follow at Hope Haven Garden of Memory Mausoleum in Gonzales. Pallbearers will be Matt Braud, Cragor Doiron, McHugh David, Stuart Lewis, Brandon Nissing, and Ryan Hymel. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Diabetes Society or the charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the residents and staff at Magnolia Assisted Living, the staff of Clarity Hospice, and the staff of Medpass for their loving care and support. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.