Mary “Ola” Smith, 100, of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at Home Away From Home in Port Arthur. Ola was born on December 7, 1915, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, to Amy Jeannis DeVille and Juslin DeVille. She moved to Port Arthur in 1932, at the age of 17, to work as a waitress in her uncle’s restaurant on Procter Street in downtown Port Arthur. “Coming from the country to the city was exciting.” It was there that she met and fell in love with her future husband, William “YoYo” Smith, the restaurant’s short order cook. The couple married on November 25, 1933, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and were married for 76 years.  As a couple they were active with the Knights of Columbus, the Local #195, Meals on Wheels, and also lead the bingo games on the senior bus to the casino in Marksville, Louisiana. Ola loved to cook and bake. She was known for her gumbo, dirty rice, and brownies. She loved to garden, and spend time with her family whom she loved with all her heart.
Ola is survived by her daughters, Judy Badeaux and her husband EJ of Port Arthur, and Linda Thomson and her husband Johnny of Hockley, Texas; grandchildren, Angela Richter – Gronross, Troy Thomson, Amy DeJean, Cindy Bolt, Troy Badeaux, and Danny Badeaux; great grandchildren, Kirk, Shelbie, Jaden, and Alexis; great – great granddaughter, Olivia.
Ola was preceded in death by her parents, Juslin and Amy DeVille; husband, William Woodrow Smith; son, James “Jimmy” L. Smith; grandchildren, Jim Smith and Jada Richter.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Cindy Bolt (granddaughter) for her 3+ years of love & care taking, and to Robin Cappell and her staff at Home Away From Home for all the care, support, and kindness given this past year and a half.
A gathering of friends and family will take place at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur on Saturday, December 19, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 10:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015, at St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur. Rite of Committal will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
For those unable to attend services you may sign the “Guest Book” at www.grammier-oberle.com