Elwanda Kitchens Smith

Graveside services for Elwanda Kitchens Smith, 87, will be held Monday, November 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Rd. Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Chaplain Craig Kennedy.

Elwanda was born on February 25, 1939 in Alcorn County, Mississippi to B.A. and Mary Kitchens and passed away on November 2, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Elwanda and her late husband, Jim, were married for 67 years. The Smiths moved their young family to Shreveport in 1972 and put down deep roots. Their home in Southern Hills was filled with friends who became family. Elwanda’s heart was happiest when the house was loud and full of hungry teenagers. There was always room at the table and food to be shared. She made sure everyone knew they were loved. As a longtime Sunday School teacher at Brookwood Baptist Church, Elwanda grew to love “her girls” as daughters and remained close to many throughout her life. Sharing the unconditional love of Christ is her greatest legacy.

Elwanda was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Thelma Kitchens Dellinger; brother, Roy Kitchens and son-in-law, Joe Buffington. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Dr. Jerry Smith and wife, Roxanne; daughter, Sherri Smith Buffington and husband, Dr. Randal Buddington; grandchildren, Megan Smith, Jacob Smith, Taylor Buffington Brassfield and husband, Daniel, and Mitchell Buffington and wife, Arielle; and great-grandchildren, Liza Brassfield, Millicent Buffington, and Barrett Buffington.

While we grieve the passing of a gracious Southern lady, we find peace knowing she is now with her Lord and reunited with Jim. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heart of Hope Ministries (heartofhopeministry.org), a sanctuary for women and their babies in Keithville.

The family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Mandy Crow, Dr. Frederick “Jeff” White and the many WKH physicians and staff who cared for Elwanda. We will always remember the compassionate care of Dr. Robert Savory, and WK Hospice nurses Christy Graham and Tammy Malone. We are indebted to and will always remember Samantha Clark, Velma Kennon, Wesley Knowles, and all the other caregivers for the love and kindness and devotion to both our mother and father in their later years.