“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
(Proverbs 31:10) On January 26, 2023, virtuous woman, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and educator, Lydia Esco Smith, entered into eternal rest. Lydia transitioned peacefully at Lakeview Manor Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. “Bernice,” as she was affectionately known, was born in Wickliffe, LA on December 27, 1938, to Arcard Esco and Lydia Victorian Esco. She was reared “Down Home on Poulahyah’’ by her Papa and older siblings upon the death of her mother. Lydia was educated in Pointe Coupee Parish schools. She graduated from New Roads High School and furthered her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge earning both a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (Summer 1964) and Master of Education in Secondary Education (Spring 1974).Lydia’s 40-year career was spent serving students in Pointe Coupee Parish Schools as a physical education and mathematics teacher. She taught at Rosenwald High School, Poydras High School, and Pointe Coupee Central High School. Her colleagues knew her as a jovial soul, always willing to share a laugh and smile. For a number of years, Lydia coached both girls’ softball and volleyball at Rosenwald High School. Lydia was very active in the community throughout the years. For many years, she was a vital member of the Community Center Carnival Club. Her community service also included volunteering at the local food pantry. As a devout Catholic, Lydia received sacraments of the laity at St. Augustine Catholic Church where she was a lifelong member. Lydia served as a lector for mass. She fulfilled this role until her health began to fail. To Lydia, nothing was more important than God, family, and education. Robert and Lydia raised all of their children in St. Augustine Catholic Church. Attending mass was extremely important to her and she ensured her children did so. Though her health conditions eventually took away her ability to move and speak as she once did, she managed to say The Lord’s Prayer without failing up until her last days. Leisure time was spent engaging in multiple activities that brought her great joy and delight. Lydia loved to travel and was able to do so quite frequently over the years. Lydia and Robert Sr. enjoyed gardening and “country life.” Always full of joy and the life of the party, Lydia loved to dance and had the perfect “swing out” partner in her brother-in-law Mike. “Bernice” enjoyed playing cards and Pokeno over good food with friends. Lydia created great memories attending Southern University football games on the Bluffs as a season ticket holder cheering on her Jags. Lydia is survived by her husband of sixty-two (62) years Robert Smith, Sr. To this union, five children were born, all of whom survive her. Cassandra Young of Phoenix, AZ, Monica (Wilton) Munnings of Coppell, TX, Mary Skinner of Phoenix, AZ, Robin (Eddie) Variest of Ventress, LA, and Robert Smith, Jr. of Huntsville, AL are her shining gems left to hold dear her memories. Lydia’s legacy is cherished by her grandchildren Jalen Young, Walter Munnings, Christina Munnings, Peyton Skinner, Justin Skinner, Jordan Variest, Dallin Variest, Robert Smith, III, and Kiersten Smith; sisters Albertha (Curtis) Brue and Margaret Celestine; sisters- in-law Geraldine (John) Turner, Sharon (Alton) Warr, Jeanetta Smith, Sarah Smith, Diane Smith, and Alice Smith; brother-in-law Raymond “Mike” Smith; aunt-inlaw Jeanette LeCoq; devoted caregiver Janice Temple; a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Mary St. Charles, Elizabeth Louis, Roy Esco, Lester Esco, and Joseph Noel Esco; mother-in-law Ethel Smith; father-in-law Walter Smith, Sr.; brothers-in-law Walter Smith, Jr., Anthony Smith, Sr., Tyrone Smith, Sr., Freddie Smith, Sr., Joseph Louis, and Raymond St. Charles; sisters-in-law Clara Mae Smith, Henrietta Esco, Alice Esco, and Sadie Esco. Public view-ing will be held Thursday, February 2, 2023, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Verrette’s Pointe Coupee Funeral Home, 1018 Parent St, New Roads, LA. Viewing and visitation will continue on Friday, February 3, 2023, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 809 New Roads St, New Roads, LA. Funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m.. Interment will follow in St. Augustine Catholic Church Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern University Bayou Tri-Parish Alumni Chapter, Lydia Smith Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 362, Port Allen, LA 70767.
