26 Apr 1934 -
JUDGE JOHN A. SMITH, 84, DIES AT COTEAU SAT
Many Years of Public Service as Parish Leader brought to End at Grand Coteau
Funeral services for Judge John A. Smith, 84 years, 11 months, and 8 days, who died Saturday at his home in Grand Coteau were conducted at A Requiem Mass at 10:30 at the Sacred Heart Catholic church with interment in the Catholic cemetery. Rev. Father Latiolais, S. J., pastor was the celebrant of the Mass. Judge Smith was a life long resident of Grand Coteau and was well known in St. Landry Parish. He has been Justice of the Peace of the 1st Precinct in the 2nd Ward for about 44 years. His ten children survive, four sons: Alex Smith of New Orleans, Walter Smith of Opelousas, F. Cook Smith and John Smith of Grand Coteau, and six daughters: Mrs. William DeValcourt of Sunset, Mrs. Edgar Smith of Arnaudville, Sister Estelle (Louise Smith) at St. Joseph's Hospital in Alton, Illinois and Miss Marie Smith, Mrs. Henry Richard and Mrs. James Fox of Grand Coteau, 56 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO JUDGE JOHN ALEXANDER SMITH
There died at Grand Coteau on Saturday morning, April 21st at 1:55 a. m. Judge John Alexander Smith, aged 84 years, 11 months and 8 days. His father was John F. Smith, a lawyer and notary, was beloved by every man, woman and child where he lived and died, many years ago. The writer knew intimately Mr. John F. Smith and has known the deceased more than 60 years. The deceased is survived by 10 children, A. L. Smith, New Orleans; Mrs. Willie DeValcourt, Sunset; Mrs. James Fox; Mrs. H. F. Richard; Mrs. John J. Smith; Mrs. F. C. Smith; Miss Marie Smith, all of Grand Coteau; Estelle Smith, Sister of Charity, Alton, Illinois; Walter C. Smith, Opelousas; Mrs. J. E. Smith, Arnaudville; 53 grand children, 15 great-grandchildren. In 1872 he married Miss Estelle Cavalier of New Orleans, who died a few years ago. The deceased was born and reared in Grand Coteau, was educated at St. Charles College, and died within rifle shot of his Alma Mater. He was a devout Catholic and believed that the dead live again. He was as far back as I can recall, a public spirited citizen. He served continuously as Justice of the Peace of his Ward, for 44 years. No man in this Parish has ever equalled such a continuous tenure of office. This bespeaks the love of his neighbors and friends, who clung to him with hoops of steel. His children and grand children can point with pride to this monument of public service unequalled by any of his predecessors in any office in this Parish or, and it may be in this State. The Judge was in good health up to within about a week preceding his death. He began to fail and as life's candle was burning low, he passed away in the early morning of the 21st inst. as calmly as peacefully as the light breaks in upon another day. He had lived long, had lived worthily, he passed away as serenely as he had lived: "Sans per et sans reproche," without fear and without reproach. God rest his soul.
April 21, 1934. A FRIEND
