Mattie Elizabeth Smith

Mattie Elizabeth McCary Smith, age 56, of Natchitoches, LA, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at Christus Schumpert Health Center in Shreveport, LA. Mattie retired from the Natchitoches Parish School System in May of 2005 after 33 years of employment. She loved her children more than anything else in the world and would help them before she would help herself. She loved the students that she taught, and would always take time out to help the student that was struggling to get by. She was known as “Momma Mattie” to all of her children’s friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Walter Travis Smith, Sr.; her father, David McCary; and two brothers, Tom and Edward McCary. She is survived by her son, Walter Travis Smith, Jr. (“T-Bird”) of Natchitoches, LA; two daughters, Sandi Marie Smith of Natchitoches, LA and Brandi Gayle Smith of Natchitoches, LA; one step-daughter, Christy Marie Smith Owens of Coushatta, LA; two grandchildren, Lily Marie Smith and Logan O’Neil Smith; her mother, Daisy Rigney McCary of Buckatunna, MS; three sisters, Sandra Daigle of Franklin, LA, Brenda Sells of Meridian, MS, and Sharon Lamaison of Covington, LA.; and one special friend, Carol Garcia of Campti, LA. Arrangements are being handled by Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, Natchitoches, LA, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday, April 27, 2007. The funeral service will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home at 10:00 AM Saturday, April 28, 2007, with Rev. David Elkins officiating. Interment will be at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. Online condolences may be given at www.blanchardstdenisfuneralhome.com.