Linda Joy Collins Smith passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at her mother's home in Shreveport, LA after an extended illness.

She was born in Baton Rouge, LA on May 12, 1959, and grew up near Denham Springs, LA.

Linda attended Denham Springs public schools, and graduated from Central Private High School.   She attended nursing school and also took classes in medical coding.

Her varied career included working as a secretary, as a CNA for two nursing homes, and as a long distance truck driver, which was her last line of work.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 22, at Aulds Funeral Home on East Kings Hwy. in Shreveport.  Visitation will be at 11:00, and the service will begin at 12:30.  Interment will be at Northwest LA State Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, LA., with a brief graveside service starting at 2:00.

The cremated remains of Linda's late husband Walter H. Smith, who served as a Navy Seaman, will be buried with her at the same time.  Walter died in August 2015 after being injured in an auto accident in the Shreveport area.

Linda was preceded in death by her father Irvin D. Collins, a native of Ponchatoula, LA, and by her husband Walter H. Smith of Mobile AL.

She is survived by her mother, Doris Wascom Carney, a native of Holden, LA and resident of Shreveport;  sister Sharon Collins of Shreveport; brother Darrell Collins of Orlando, Florida; son Steven McNeill and wife Christa Smith McNeill, of Bossier City, LA; daughter Jessica Hefferman and husband Christopher Hefferman of Choudrant, LA.; and four grandchildren.