James R. Smith

SHREVEPORT, LA - James R. "Jim" Smith, 78, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019 after a short illness. Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. prior the the service at Rose-Neath. Jim was born in Pine Bluff, AR to James Milton Smith and Mildred Scott Smith in 1940. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Shreveport, La. Jim had one brother, Ronnie who was four years younger than he was. Jim spent his whole life living in Shreveport, LA. He attended Byrd High School. Jim married Evelyn Prudhomme in 1958. They remained happily married for 60 years until Evelyn's death last year in April 2018. One of his first careers was as a food broker working for Brown, Moore and Flint selling Green Giant, Sara Lee and other products to the grocery stores in the early 1970s in the Ark La Tex region. Jim then transitioned to the banking business beginning as a teller. He was assistant manager at the Lakeshore Drive Branch of Louisiana Bank and Trust and then Manager at the South Park Mall Branch of the Bank. Ever the hard worker, he worked his way up to Vice President of the bank. You may also have known Jim when he worked at other places such as the FDIC, and Bank Tec South. At one point, he also worked for Caddo Parish. Jim served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Caddo Parish from 1975 until 2008. Jim was also active in the community. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Shreveport Elks Club. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evelyn Prudhomme Smith and his little brother, Ronnie. Left to cherish his memory are his children Jim Smith, Jr. and wife Dawn and Evelyn Walker and husband Chris; also granddaddy to 8 grandchildren - Heather Stout, Stacey Smith and Matthew Smith; Lauren Walker Dew, Cody Walker, Emily Walker, Megan Walker Smith and Amanda Walker; and 3 great-grandchildren - Blake Walker, Hunter Banks and Justin Smith. Jim had Lots of birthdays to keep up with. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made to Send A Brick Campaign (www.buildtheborderwall.com).