Claudia Mae Smith

Claudia Mae Smith, 92, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, including her sweet friend Linda Dennig, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Broadmoor Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Reverend Billy Crosby will officiate.

Claudia was born September 14, 1933, in Ida, Louisiana, to Dathan and Marjorie Lee Trant. She graduated from Ferriday High School in 1952, and in 1954 she married the love of her life, James E. (Jim) Smith. Together they built Acadian Homes, where Claudia served as interior decorator and, as her family fondly called her, CFO of the family company.

Faith was the foundation of Claudia’s life. She was a devoted member of Summer Grove Baptist Church for many years, where she served as church secretary and sang faithfully in the choir. She then attended First Baptist Church of Bossier and finally Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Claudia was an avid reader, often visiting the library and checking out 20 books at a time, reading each one front to back within a month. Her dear friend Shirley Ferrier lived just one street over, and the two would read their books and then switch, each enjoying the other’s. This love of reading kept her mind remarkably sharp all the way into her 92nd year. She also had a deep love for writing, filling notebooks with prayers and Bible studies, along with the prayer requests she received for others. God was the center of her life, always her number one.

Claudia loved her flowers, her yard, and her home, tending each with pride. She adored her family deeply, especially her sister Margie and her brothers Jimmy and Larry. Being only sixteen when Larry was born, she practically raised him herself, and the bond between them never faded.

Claudia loved to travel the world with Jim, from road trips to Colorado to unforgettable journeys through Europe and cruises across the seas. She cherished trips to Vermont to watch the leaves change every fall, and she treasured a trip to Israel, walking the Holy Land alongside dear friends from her church family. Closer to home, she loved entertaining at Christmas and Thanksgiving, decorating the house, cooking for days, and hosting her family with open arms.

She was known as the ultimate hostess, hosting countless baby and wedding showers in the beautiful home Jim built and she decorated, filling every gathering with warmth, laughter, and her signature grace. Always dressed perfectly, Claudia carried herself with an elegance that never dimmed.

She treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren beyond measure. She loved her many friends, especially the fellowship of her beloved Birthday Club. Claudia’s kindness and beauty, inside and out, left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Smith; her parents, Dathan and Marjorie Trant, and her brothers, Jimmy and Larry Trant.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sons, Randy Smith and wife, Cheryl, and Brian Smith; her granddaughters, Candice Watrin and husband, Patrick, Crysta Frances and husband, Andy, Caitlin Baca and husband, Taylor, and Caylee Rivera and Lyon Rivera; her grandson, Cooper Smith; eight great-grandchildren; and her beloved sister, Marjorie Woods.

Honoring Claudia as pallbearers will be Andy Frances, Taylor Baca, Patrick Watrin, Oliver Watrin, Randy Smith, and Bob Rushing. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Brian Smith.