Priscilla Smith

Helen Priscilla Smith was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Just don’t call her Helen! She left this world on March 16, 2025, after a lengthy illness at the age of 74.

She was born to Daniel Embry and Paula Elizabeth Wilson on September 29, 1950, in El Dorado, AR. She married Don Smith on July 22, 1990, and they were happily married for almost 35 years.

Priscilla loved life and loved to be involved in her community. She was a member of the Arcadia Service Club for many years and volunteered often in many different roles. She was very active in the Bienville Parish Relay for Life for many years. As the editor of the Bienville Democrat, you could always find her at events around the parish snapping pictures, including all festival and sporting events. She was chosen as the Bienville Parish Woman of the Year in 2013 and honored at the Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

To say she loved sports was an understatement! She was the biggest New Orleans Saints fan you will ever meet. I know the entire town of Arcadia has heard Priscilla scream “Who Dat” more than they can count. She loved high school sports as well and would follow the parish teams all the way to the State Championship with pom poms in hand, screaming from the bleachers. She loved so many sports including golf, bowling, Nascar, football, and basketball. As she was described recently, “Priscilla was an excited person.” She was also passionate, loyal, loving, kind, giving, selfless, and so much more. She just loved life.

Priscilla is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Tammy Brady, Sandra Ford, Annie Wilson, Naomi Wilson, Corrine Wilson, great-grandson Grayson Allums, and son-in-law Lance Bryan.

She is survived by her husband Don Smith; daughter Nikki Bryan of Hall Summit, LA; son Eric Shaffer (Traci) of Miami, OK; step-son Hugh Smith (Angie) of Arcadia, LA; grandchildren: Heaven Perry, Kayelee Shaffer, Taylor Shaffer, all of Miami, OK; Kari Norred (Kane) of Ringgold, LA, Megan Britt (Jonathan) of Logansport, LA, Mathew Allums (Bailey) of Ringgold, LA, Britton Allums or Martin, LA, Tyler Bryan of Hall Summit, LA, and Paxton Smith of Arcadia, LA; Great grandchildren: Gage Perry, Kendall Perry, Kassidee Carson, Ryden Perry, Paisley Allums, Kade Norred, Avery Britt, Kamden Norred, Rhett Allums, and Gabriel Britt, Sisters: Linda Glenn of Little Rock, AR, Dovie Wilcoxen (Bruce) of Ord, NE, Gwen Jennings of Searcy, AR, and Martha Pevytoe (Terry) of Calhoun, LA; Brothers: Gary Wilson of Lincoln, NE, Billy Wilson (Kris) of Grand Island, NE, James Phillips, John Phillips of Flynn, TX, Jim Bob Humphrey of Russellville, AR, Danny Wilson, and Randy Wilson (Dorothy) of Columbia, LA; sister-in-law Rita Durbin of Dubach, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 AM on March 19, 2025, at Rose Neath Funeral Home. Officiated by Bro. James Hester. Visitation will be Tuesday March 18, 2025, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Burial will follow at Arcadia Cemetery.

Mathew Allums, Britton Allums, Tyler Bryan, Kane Norred, Taylor Shaffer, Carl Glenn, and Paxton Smith will serve as pallbearers.

A special thank you to all the staff at LSU Shreveport including the neurosurgery and OMFS team. Also, to St. Joseph hospice for the incredible care in her last days.