Obituary of Billie Ruth Smith Porter

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Billie Ruth Smith Porter on Monday, October 30, 2023 at the age of 94. She departed peacefully surrounded by family after a brief illness at Morehouse General Hospital in Bastrop, LA. Billie Ruth was born on October 13, 1929 in Ouachita Parish. She was the adopted daughter of Abram M. and Mada Bond White. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, parent, grandmother, aunt and friend. She touched the lives of many with her kindness, wisdom, service and unwavering love. Billie Ruth was a lifelong resident of Morehouse Parish. Following her graduation from Bastrop High School, she was employed as a telephone operator working the switchboard to direct calls. She was one of the lovely ladies who said “Number Please” when you lifted the receiver of your phone. Her position was phased out with the implementation of the rotary dial phones in the early 1960’s. She and her husband, James William (J.W.) Smith married in July of 1949 following J.W.’s discharge from military service. They both were instrumental in the organization and founding of Oak Hill Baptist Church on the Collinston Road, Bastrop in 1954. Billie Ruth was recently honored at the church Homecoming Celebration in September 24, 2023 as the oldest surviving Charter Member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church. Over the years she served in many positions of leadership and service to her church including pianist, WMU Director, Sunday School Teacher in Adult, Youth and Preschool departments, Vacation Bible School Leader and adult choir member as well as serving on various committees over the years. Her classic brownies or lemon pound cake was a staple item at church fellowship meals in addition to pots of spaghetti or chicken and dressing. Billie Ruth also served her community as Morehouse General Hospital Auxillary Volunteer for over 10 years. She proudly supported her children in their endeavors and could be found attending baseball, football and basketball games of Mike and Pat throughout their youth, junior high and high school years as well as college years for Mike who played football for NLU in Monroe in the 1970’s. Her family was her greatest treasure and she will be sorely missed by them all. Billie Ruth will be remembered for her devoted relationship with Jesus Christ and her kind and compassionate heart, beautiful smile and loving nature that made her so special. She is preceded in death by her parents Abe and Mada White, her infant sister Jo Marilyn White, her husband of 35 years J. W. Smith, son William Patric (Pat) Smith, brother Walter Lane (Buster) White, sister in law Bonnie White, nephew David Wayne White, son in law Keith Walker and her second husband C. W. (Bill) Porter. Billie Ruth is survived by her son Dr. Mike Smith and wife Melissa of Rayville, daughter Pam Walker of Bastrop, grandchildren Brad Smith and wife Amie of Monroe, Stewart Smith and wife Bay of Monroe, Daniel Smith and wife Shelby of Shreveport, William Walker and wife Molly of Paris, TX, Kiley Walker and wife Alexis of Bastrop and Joanna Walker Howard and husband R.J. of Bastrop, great grandchildren Allen Smith, Hannah Smith, Linton Smith, Anne Douglas Smith, Conway Smith, Lane Smith, Buddy Harville, Evie Walker, Jack Walker, Jagger Walker, Kiley Wells Walker, Hendrix Howard and Eli Howard. She is also survived by special niece, Patricia (Trishy) Breard of Houston, TX and nephew Danny Lane White of Monroe, LA. Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Oak Hill Baptist Church, 901 Collinston Road, Bastrop, LA with public visitation at 2:00 p.m. and services at 3:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Bro. Andy Myrick and Bro. Jimmy White. All family and friends are welcome to attend and pay their respects. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Lagniappe Healthcare and to all those who offered their support and love during this difficult time. Your kindness and sympathy are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Dr. Carter Cox who has faithfully cared for Mother for many decades as well as caring for many other members of our family. He has always been like family to us and is a treasured friend as well as personal family physician. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28.