Private graveside services for Russell C. Smith age 82 of West Monroe, LA will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the Concord Cemetery with Aleck Nyegaard officiating under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA

Russell was born April 27, 1937 in Farmerville, LA to Aleck and Nora Smith. He moved to Marion, LA at a young age and upon graduation enlisted the Navy. He served for twenty years before retiring as an E-6 diesel engineer or to us laymen First Class Petty Officer. He worked for Akins Supply for a number of years before moving on to the Franke Consumer Products. Russell married the love of his life Patricia Irene Meadows on August 26, 1965, they were married for forty-eight years until her passing. He moved to West Monroe, LA to live with his daughter Sarena M. Smith.  Russell died after a brief illness at St. Francis Medical Center on March 17, 2020. He loved to collect bolo's, hat pins, belt buckles, lighters and Navy memorabilia, especially eagles.

Russel is preceded in death by his father Aleck Jefferson Smith; mother, Nora Lee Watts Smith; brother, Joseph S. Smith; sister Nora Delaine Truett; sister Mary S. Molnaird; brother, William S. Smith; brother Huey Smith; brother, T.C. Smith and brother Lenard "Smokey" Smith.

He is survived by his two daughters: Lelani S. and husband Troy W. Beasley of Choudrant, LA, Sarena M. Smith of West Monroe, LA; son, James D. Smith and wife Lucita of Simsboro, LA; grandchildren: Stephen R. Beasley and wife Samantha of Dubach, LA, Katie M. Beasley and husband Kevin C. Vallery of Choudrant, John Shadowens and Aurora Shadowens of Simsboro, LA; great- grandchildren: Carolina J. Hedgepeth, Georgia C. Beasley, Dakota W. Beasley of Dubach, LA and Felicity R. Vallery of Choudrant, LA and one more on the way.

To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.