Joan Marie Harris Smith, retired educator and community activist, dies at age 67
Times Picayune 06-18-2010
Submitted By NOVA

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Joan Marie Harris Smith, a retired educator whose love for children and her West Bank
neighborhood flourished into a second career as a community activist, died Sunday at her Marrero
home. She was 67.

Mrs. Smith, who taught in the Jefferson Parish public schools for 33 years at John Ehret and
L.W. Higgins high schools in Marrero, was so involved in civic affairs that she recently pulled
double duty as president of the West Jefferson Civic Coalition and Westminister Civic
Association.

"She did so much,'' said Charles Miller, who along with Mrs. Smith and others created the
coalition in 2003.

That same year, she met John Young, who was running for Jefferson Parish Council. He described
her as a "selfless worker'' who has always had the well-being of her community and young people
at heart.

"Everyone who met her loved her. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind,'' Young said. "You knew
where you stood with Ms. Joan.''

For a decade, Mrs. Smith was a member of the auxiliary board of Cuillier Career Center in
Marrero. The school provides hands-on experience in a number of trades for high school students,
including carpentry, culinary arts, automotive repair, masonry and horticulture. Mrs. Smith
worked hard to get the word out about the school, which she pegged as one of the area's "best-
kept secrets,'' said Principal Rita Foster.

"She felt that more kids should be there because there are so many kids out on the street,''
Foster said. "We often talked about how everybody is not going to college. She tried to provide
opportunities for all children along with improving the community.''

Mrs. Smith also was a member of Cops and Clergy and Household of Faith Church. She hosted a
radio talk show called "Let's Talk About It With Joan Smith.''

Mrs. Smith was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans and Southern University, Baton
Rouge.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Smith Sr.; a son, Richard Smith Jr.; two daughters,
Richelle C. Smith-Wilson and Rocquel C. Smith; her mother, Guscile Jacobs Weber; her stepfather,
Henry Weber; a sister, Remonia H. Roussell; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Greater Mount Calvary Church, 1600 Westwood
Drive, Marrero. Visitation will begin at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery in Avondale.
Murray Henderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.