Martha Shaughnessy

A graveside service honoring the life of Martha Shaughnessy will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 13, 2021 at Forest Park Cemetery on St. Vincent Avenue. Officiating the service will be Rev. William Valentine, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church, assisted by her grandson, Rev. Brent Shoalmire. The family asks that everyone please wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing.

Martha Shaughnessy was born August 1, 1922 in Fryeburg, Louisiana to William Morris Smith and Carrie McKinney Smith and passed away peacefully, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Martha was an active member of Lakeview Baptist Church, where her and her husband, John, were members since 1952. They traveled over 20 years with the Louisiana Airstream Travel Club, traveling across the United States. She was a dedicated railroad engineer's wife, and loving mother who enjoyed cooking and spending precious time with her family. Martha was a true reflection of a life lived for Christ and served as a firm foundation for her family.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of over 68 years, John E. Shaughnessy, Sr and her brother, James Smith.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, John E. Shaughnessy, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Shreveport, LA; daughters, Carol Ann Gates and husband, Jack of Ruston, LA and Jeanie Shaughnessy of Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren, Alan Shoalmire and wife, Jennifer of Navasota, TX, Brent Shoalmire and wife, Shannon of Eunice, LA, Rachel Scriber and husband, Glenn of Ruston, LA, Jessica Shaughnessy Fabre and husband, Ben of Baton Rouge, LA, and John E. Shaughnessy III, M.D. and wife, Morgan of Jackson, MS; six great-grandchildren, Anna Kate Scriber, Lauren Shoalmire, Lydia Shoalmire, Lacey Shoalmire, Luke Shoalmire, and Elizabeth Claire Shaughnessy; sister, Gloria Joy Moore of Coushatta, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to all who have shown their love and support throughout Martha's life, especially the staff at The Bloom at Bossier and her caretakers from Heart of Hospice.

Honoring her as pallbearers will be Jack Gates, Mike Karmales, Glenn Scriber, John Shaughnessy III, M.D., Alan Shoalmire, Brent Shoalmire, Mark Smith, and Scotty Warren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Lakeview Baptist Church, 4520 Tacoma Blvd, Shreveport, LA 71107.

As a devoted wife, loving mother, caring grandmother and faithful friend, Martha Shaughnessy was a true blessing to so many and will be greatly missed.

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." -2 Timothy 4:7