James Monroe Smith

Funeral services for James Smith will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 10th, 2017, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with Rev. Phillip North officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Cemetery in Martin, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, June 09th, 2017 at Blanchard-St. Denis. James was born on December 03, 1936 in Martin, LA and passed from this life on June 03, 2017 in Shreveport, LA. He was a strong willed and set in his ways kind of guy. He has always tried to find a deal, a way to save a buck. From his love of garage sales to buying cars that cost more to maintain than to flat out buy a brand new car. But that was just not important to him. He didn't feel like he needed the best of anything and didn't ask for it. He was happier knowing he had saved money and could get to the same place as the other guy or catch the same fish for half the cost. But, with that being said, he never failed to provide a roof over his family's head or a meal on the table. We never did without. He could never be accused of being lazy and he always stressed the importance of hard work. Even up to his last days that he was able to stand, he was working. He grew up with 11 brother and sisters and loved all them dearly, and would tell me stories of hunting, fishing, and working alongside them all. He never met a stranger and would be quick to tell you how proud he was of his family and what they have accomplished; all the while staying humble about how hard he has worked all of his life. He has not been perfect all of his life, he had shortcomings and had made mistakes that he would like to take back; sometimes his temper could get the best of him, but it all made him the MAN he was; the man we were proud to call dad. He taught so many things, he always seemed to have the right answer, and if he didn't have an answer, he definitely knew someone that did. There is so much in 80 years that he has seen and done, this hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface. His love for his family, cars, and fishing was endless. He always gave selflessly; he and his storied will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Sandifer Smith and James Andrew Smith; and his siblings, Hattie Smith Carrol, Nellie Faye Smith, Bettie Smith Hughes, Margie Susie Smith, Pauline Smith Petty, Thomas Ray Smith, John Henry Smith, Arthur Charles Smith, Roland Smith, and James Andrew (Tobo) Smith, He is survived by his sons, Phillip Smith and wife Missy of Arlington, TX and Jeff Smith and wife Cindy of Verda, LA; his grandchildren, Jessica Smith, Destini Smith, Ashley Smith, Taylor Smith, Chelsey Smith, Solomon Smith, and Savannah Smith; great-grandchildren, Jasmin, Angel, C.J., Samajea, and Aubree; and his sister, Maggie Smith Weaver and husband Jerry of Martin. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Mike Daniel, Mike Wagner, Jacob Wenzel, Ryan Wenzel, Zachary Wenzel, and Jackson Fields. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Braquet, Jerrad Friday, and David Fowler