SMITH

David Jerome Davis Smith was born on July 16, 1960, to Katherine Smith and the late Benjamin Smith. On Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, God called him home.

He was reared in Second Baptist Church and later joined Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. David graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1978, having been very active in cheerleading, chorus and numerous other clubs. He continued on to attend Grambling State University. From there he traveled to many places and later made his home in Atlanta, residing there for 16 years and touching many hearts and homes. In Atlanta he worked for several catering companies, where he strengthened his love for food.

David returned back home to Bogalusa in September 2011, where he found employment with the Bogalusa City Schools. He pursued what he loved most and continued to give back through the culinary arts. During his time in the school system he rekindled his love for the Bogalusa “Big Bad Lumberjack Band,” where he devoted and volunteered countless hours and meals.

David leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Katherine; three brothers, Odris (Almeta) Smith, Robert (Vaneda) Smith and Sean (Lisa) Smith; eight sisters, Janice Norris, Joyce Smith, Romeldia Rogers, Bennie Jean Smith, Mary (Eddie) Smith, Janice (Ricky) Davis, Marie (Donnie) Ishman, Glendia Arbuckle and Dawn (Byron) Adams; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; one goddaughter, A’nyla Griffin; and very special people, Gretchen Brown, Deidra Mixon, Patrice Belton, Tina Gayle, Brian Carter, Debra Plummer, Veronica Smith, Millicent Primas, Alycer Johnson, April Bruns and Rayfield Burris.

David was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Smith; one sister, Constance Otis; one brother, William Gerald Smith; and several aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 20 at Crain and Sons Funeral Home of Bogalusa from 3-7 p.m., with a family hour to follow from 7-8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Bogalusa, with the Rev. Johnny Johnson, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Bogalusa Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.crainandsons.com.