Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lafayette for Graham Newton Smith, 67, who died on Monday, May 26, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette surrounded by his family. Interment will be in Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery. Reverend F. Hampton Davis, III, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Genie Summers and Marilyn DeMahy. Giftbearers will be Alessandra Tarazona, Ethan Fielding, Annelise Romero, Karalee Romero and Brielle Romero. Graham Newton Smith was born on January 31, 1947 in Boston Massachusettes. So, who am I? "By training , I'm a tuba player. By experience, I'm a former broadcast journalist, Navy Veteran and one-time novelist. By vocation, I've been the husband of my college sweetheart and closest friend, Donna, for almost 45 years, the father of two grown daughters (Ellen and Sarah) and one grown son (Andrew) and proud father-in-law of Caitlin (Andrew's wife) and Ryan (daughter Sarah's husband), and the grandfather ("Boopa") of five wonderful grandkids with one on the way. I've just about finished the process of retiring after 33 years of practicing law. (It was harder to do than I thought!) By God's grace, I had a totally unexpected encounter with His love back in 1986. Life has never been the same since, for which I am deeply grateful. I'm a convert to Catholicism but first of all, a committed follower of the Risen King of Kings, Jesus Christ. I serve as a Liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana and spend a lot of time thinking, writing, and talking about how to introduce others to Jesus, the most important person they'll ever meet! I write a monthly column for the Acadiana Catholic called "Be Fire!" I am blessed with the opportunity to serve as a member of the NSC Council, a national body of 50 renewal leaders who help provide support for the National Service Committee, which encourages and promotes the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It's exciting to see what the Holy Spirit is doing around the country!" Mr. Smith is also survived by four sisters, Pam, Barbara, Jean and Jerry; and two brothers, Clay and Drew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Mims Smith and his wife Marjorie, and Nancy Graham Smith and her husband Arnold. Mr. Smith was a veteran of military service, proudly serving his country in the United States Navy. He graduated from USL (now ULL) and also the University of Texas School of Law. He was a past member of the Bar Admissions in 1975 (Texas) and 1978 (Louisiana.) Mr. Smith worked as an attorney with Onebane Law Firm since 1981, specializing in insurance law, property and casualty law as well as workers compensation. He was also founder of the "Good Shepherd Community." Mr. Smith will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Pallbearers will be Andrew Smith, Ryan Romero, Clay Smith, Frank McFee, Mark Leonard, Michael Keefe, Gerald Dunbar and Terry Boudreaux. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Summers, Terry Stutes and Douglas Touchet. Donations can be made in Graham's name to the Family Missions Company, 12624 Everglade Rd. Abbeville La. 70510 or www.fmcmissions.com. A Rosary will be recited on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 7:00 PM in Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE Location. The family requests that visitation be observed on Friday from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until time of services. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com. Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Rd. Lafayette, LA. 70508, (337) 984-2811.
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5 Entries
Graham was a wonderful human being and our prayers are with his family !
Herbert Schilling
June 5, 2014
Graham was one of the nicest/finest people God put on this earth! He did more than his part to leave it better than he found it. We know where he is. Our condolences to his family and inner circle friends.
Stewart and Karen Blue
June 3, 2014
To the Smith family, please accept my condolences. May the God of all comfort be with you.
May 31, 2014
Graham was the best. And the best prepared to leave this world for a better one. God bless him and his family.
May 29, 2014
We all have a better chance of going to heaven because of Graham. Thank you, Donna and children, for sharing your wonderful husband and dad with all of us. Paid in full!!!
We are praying for all.
Laura LaHaye
May 29, 2014
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