Jennabeth Powdrill Smythe

Jennabeth Powdrill Smythe, 71, of Lake Charles passed from this life at 1:15 AM on Friday, February 4, 2011 in her residence.

Jennabeth was born on October 27, 1939, in Stockman, TX, and grew up in Sulphur. She graduated from Sulphur High School, attended McNeese State University, and was employed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, retiring in 1995 as Parish Secretary after 33 years of service. Jennabeth was a member of and served as President of the Secretary-Treasurers Organization of the Louisiana Police Jury Association.

Jennabeth also served for many years as Administrative Secretary to the Calcasieu Parish Public Trust Authority, retiring in that capacity in 2008. In addition, she was Recording Secretary for the Airport Authority, governing authority of the Lake Charles Regional Airport.

She served as President of the Calcasieu Unit of the American Cancer Society, co-chaired the Residential Campaign for the American Cancer Society, and was active in various other undertakings by the Society. She was also active in the Junior League of Lake Charles, Krewe of Mystique, the Planters League, and other civic organizations.

Jennabeth loved people and had a genuine flair for living life to the fullest. Kind-hearted and generous, she enjoyed having those she loved close by-entertaining and sharing good times. Jennabeth touched many lives with her winning smile, caring and compassionate nature, keen wit and sense of humor, and her "joie de'vivre". Her memory will be cherished, and she will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are three sons, Marck Paul Smythe, DDS and wife Paula of Big Lake, Howard Vincent Smythe, II and wife Judy of Moss Bluff, and William Smythe of Lake Charles; two daughters, Sherrill Smythe Ortego of Lake Charles and Mary Candace Smythe Pence and husband Larry of Nocona, TX; six granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann Duke, Tara Olivier, Lindsay Smythe, Kathryn McKee, Emily Rape, and Grace Renee Jennabeth Dial; two grandsons, Brandon Smythe Dial and Aaron Nye Dial; six great grandchildren; a brother, Joe Powdrill of Timpson, TX; a sister, Joy Bonner and husband Robert Preston of Many, LA; 4 nieces and nephews; 8 great nieces and nephews; and 7 great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Era Powdrill; her husband, Dr. Howard Vincent Smythe, and a son, Randall Scott Dial.

Special thanks to Jennabeth's care givers for their compassion and dedication to her well being: Evelyn Briscoe, Teresa Drake, Liz Riley, Lenora Frank, and Hester Jackson. Special thanks also to her Hospice Nurse, Dody, and all of the Odyssey Hospice staff.

A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will be in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until 1:30 PM in the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be: Dr. Marck Paul Smythe, Howard Vincent Smythe II, Paul Bonin, Charles Childs, Mark McMurray, and Bill Day.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, donors@stjude.org.