Billie Marie Smith

Billie Marie West Smith, 85, of Lake Charles, died Saturday November 8, 2014 at a local hospice following a brief illness. Mrs. Smith was a native of Glenmora and a longtime resident of Lake Charles. Her career was as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and she worked in many area medical facilities including Charity Hospital and as a private duty nurse. She was a Christian and member of Boulevard Baptist Church. She was a hard working and dedicated mother. She raised five boys and one girl after her beloved husband, Webster Lee Smith, died at the age of thirty six. The oldest child was thirteen years old and the baby was three months old. She sacrificed greatly for her family, whom she dearly loved. Preceding Mrs. Smith in her death are her husband Webster Lee Smith; son, Warren Paul Stanford; parents, Bill and Mertie Willis West, sister, Ruthie Thacker; brother, Arnold Lee West. Those left to honor and cherish her memories are her daughter, Elva Marie Duhon and husband David Wayne, Grand Lake; sons, Glenn Wayne Smith and wife Cynthia, Pineville, LA; Michael Dale Smith, Lake Charles; Jimmy Ray Smith and wife Debbie of Lakewood, CO; and Alton Lee Smith of Pineville, LA; daughter-in-law,, Missi Stanford; brothers, Larry Gene West and wife Brenda, Spring, Texas and Donald West of Tioga, LA; sisters, Nelva Gaye Robbins, Tioga, LA and Betty McArthur and husband Clarence, of Glenmora; 15 grandchildren, Jamie Lynn, Kayla, Jimmy, Heather, Ashley, Amanda, Chris, Jordan, Brandon, Clayton, Dustin, Hallie, Nelimia, Rob Lynn, Shannon and Trey; 16 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday November 11, 2014 at Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday November 12, 2014 at the funeral home with the Rev. James Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens. Billie's family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of St. Patrick Hospital 4 west, Dr. Ken Nguyen, the nurses and staff of Harbor Hospice as well as the many friends who assisted them during their mother's final days. The compassion and kind and gentle care of their dear mother will never be forgotten. She will be forever missed! May she now take her wings and fly!