Cause of Death: Cancer

Interred Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City, Bossier, LA

The Natchitoches Times, Natchitoches, LA, pg 11A, January 5, 1993

Dr. C. Donald (Don) Smith

On Monday, Jan. 3, Dr. C. Donald Smith passed away at the age of 51 at the Schumpert Medical Center after a brief illness.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Shirley McLemore Smith of Bossier City; his mother, Roberta B. Smith of Natchitoches; one son, Keith W. Smith and his wife Traci of Jacksonville, Fla.; one daughter, Trina Smith Northcutt of Lafayette; an "adopted son," Sonny Wade of Bossier City; one sister, Beverly Allen of Natchitoches; one brother, William A. (Bill) Smith, Jr., and his wife Abbie of Slidell; one grandson, Brandon of Lafayette; one niece and four nephews.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City.  Burial will follow at the Rose Neath Cemetery in Bossier City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for a math/computer science scholarship in Don's name can be made by contacting the Office of University Relations at 797-5179 in Shreveport.

Dr. C. Donald "Don" Smith

Dr. C. Donald "Don" Smith passed away at the age of 51 at Schumpert Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Natchitoches, Don had been a resident of Bossier City for the past 26 years.  During those years he moved through the ranks at LSU-Shreveport to full professor of mathematics and computer science.  He came to USUS in 1968 after serving his country as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam, where he received a Bronze Star.  Always one to respond to needs as they arose, Don founded and sponsored DOM, an organization for veterans on the LSUS campus.

Don's life revealed his belief in the adage, "Happiness is a journey, not a destination."  His "journey" was characterized by love and service.  Never too busy to lend a helping hand, he will be rememberd as a loving and caring family man, teacher, and citizen.

In addition to being honored by LSU with an outstanding faculty award in 1984, Don was recognized throughout the Shreveport-Bossier area as master teacher.  He touched the lives of thousands of students as a role model as well as a gifted teacher.  Respected in all areas of the campus, Don will be remembered for his dedication to LSUS and his students.

Don received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and his Ph.D. from North Texas State University in Denton.

Don's faith was a living faith.  He taught Sunday School, sang in several choirs and led a number of singles programs.  His life revaled a strong belief in God, as expressed by the American poet Emily Dickinson:

This world is not conclusion; Invisible, as music, but positive, As sound.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley McLemore Smith of Bossier city; his mother, Roberta Butler Smith of Natchitoches; two sons, Keith W. Smith and wife, Tracy of Jacksonville, Fla., and Shane Sanders of Bossier City and one adopted son, Sonny Wade of Bossier City; three daughters, Trina Smith Northcutt of Lafayette, Kelley Emmels and Becky Foster both of Bossier City; one sister, Beverly Allen of Natchitoches; one brother William A. "Bill" Smith Jr., and wife, Abbie, of Slidell; three grandchildren, Brandon of Lafayette and Brittian and Colin of Bossier City and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday Jan 6 at 11 a.m. at the Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City.  The Rev. Jim Nunnelee, pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church will officiate assisted by John Robson of Baton Rouge.

Burial will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City.

Pallbearers will be Carlos Spaht, Conway Link, Stuart Mills, Alfred McKinney, George Kalmbach, Ron Rose and Bill Cummngs.

The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at Schumpert Cancer Center, especially Dr. Ruth McDonald, for their loving care and concern.