Funeral services for Hazel C. Smith, 87, of Ferriday, LA will be held Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10:00am from Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Ferriday. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Herbert Smith at the Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez, MS. Rev. Danny Lewis will officiate.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5 to 7pm at the funeral home.

Mrs. Smith, daughter of Thomas and Bertha Green Cotton was born in Willetts, LA and died at the Grace Home in Alexandria, LA.

She was baptized at an early age by the late Rev. A. F. Williams and joined Mercy Seat Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her health began to fail. She graduated in 1946 from Sevier Rosenthal High School; attended Grambling College and briefly taught school at Shaw Elementary School in Vidalia. In later years she became a cafeteria worker and managed the cafeteria at Ferriday Lower and Upper Elementary Schools until her retirement.

Mrs. Smith married Herbert Smith on September 10, 1947 and to this union one child was born, Gail LaDonna Smith Vosley who preceded her in death. She loved her church and she was well grounded in God's Holy Bible. She was church clerk and a Sunday School teacher for many years. Her favorite song for all occasions was "Oh, How I Love Jesus."

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, step-son, J. D. Smith. Also a brother, Henry Cotton and two sister, Hannah Cotton and Bernice Armstrong.

Remembering her fondly are the following: her sister,, Roosevelt Hymon and her husband, Clarence, of Ferriday; son-in-law, J. T. Vosley of Shreveport, LA; five grandchildren, Jennifer Crawford and her husband, Chuck of Grand Prairie, TX; Ashley Vosley of Shreveport, LA; Kimberly Smith, Mea Smith and Dontrell Smith all of Los Angeles, CA; two great-grandchildren, Keldron Crawford and Khalia Crawford of Grand Prairie, TX; and a host nieces, nephews and friends.