On Sunday, July 16, I. Jean Smith was called to her heavenly home to be with our Lord. She was 78 years old.

She was born in January 1945 to Hansford and Lucy Smith of Winnfield, LA and was one of six children. She is preceded in death by both of her parents and brothers Harlan, Marvin, and John Aubrey.

Her first job was as a carhop in California at the age of 16. Over her lifetime she worked in health care, as a telephone operator, a secretary at White's Ferry Rd Church of Christ, and a stay-at-home mom. She even was just short of the final test for getting her pilot's license. Circa 1980, after managing the night shift at Wee Care Daycare Center,  she discovered her true passion which was taking care of children. She started her in home daycare center, "Tiny Tot Corral" , that grew to be a large "class A" center. Children were what kept a smile on her face. She was lovingly known by most as "Ms. Jean". She kept in touch with as many of "her kids" as she could. She was even fortunate and loved enough that she was able to keep multiple generations of "her kids".

She had an adventurous spirit and spent most of her years going "90 mph" or "90 to nothing". She loved to travel. She loved the water, camping, canoeing and rapids. One example of her adventurous spirit is when an impromptu trip to Canton Trade Days was rained out, she decided to "just keep driving". Her new goal became finding snow. She "just kept driving" through Colorado all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming. And if you ever traveled with her, you know and probably have pictures of every barn along the way and know where all the antique shops are.

She devoted her life to Christ and was dedicated to her Christian family. She's remembered as always being willing to help her brothers and sisters in Christ wherever there was a need.

Ms. Jean is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and seven great- grandchildren. Son - David A. Hill and wife Maria. Daughters - Laura Bloxham Jacobs and Tammy Bloxham Primeaux and husband Sheldon. Grandchildren - Ashley, Carley, Riley, Brittany, Destiny, Kimberly, Ernie, Alexis, and Dominique. Great-Grandchildren - Avery, Jordan, Silas, Elijah, Marleigh, Luka, and Kyler.

She is also survived by her two sisters - Ernestine Crawford and Patricia Gray - as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After her many years of continuous health struggles, the family finds comfort in knowing she is now able to rest and is at peace in the bosom of Abraham.

A visitation will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM with a service at 12:00 Noon taking place at Airline Church of Christ, 2125 Airline Dr. Bossier City 71111. Following the service, there will be a fellowship with refreshments for friends and family. Ben Brewster will be officiating assisted by Tim (Tee) Byrd.

The family would like to thank Heritage Manor Stratmore for their loving care and concern for the last year of her life.

Funeral and floral services are being provided by Aulds Funeral Home at 7849 E. Kings Hwy Shreveport, La 71115.