Louise Smith

Louise Smith was born to Reginald Russell and Emma Campbell in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on November 15, 1927. Unfortunately, she lost her mom in infancy and sadly had no maternal memories. After her mom’s passing Louise went to live with her maternal grandmother in Porus, Manchester where she spent most of her pained childhood. On a visit to her dad in Kingston, he sent her to live with his mother in Calderwood, St. Ann. It was here that she met and later married Claudius McDonald and subsequently had 10 children. Louise (affectionately called Mama) believed in loving and caring for her husband and children, a job she pursued joyfully as a homemaker. Children were always well groomed and well fed. Louise's marriage ended after 25 years and she married her second husband Franklin Smith (who predeceased her in 1999) - and yes, she had 2 additional children Mark and Yasmin. Louise migrated to the United States to join her husband in 1984. She found employment in the home health care industry and diligently cared for her clients until 1994, when she had a negative outcome from surgery. She relocated to Ocala, Florida. It was there that she joined the SDA denomination along with her husband. After her husband passed, Louise returned to New York to be with her extended family. She was passionate about school attendance and education because of her limited exposure to the same. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to take advantage of opportunities for learning. Louise enjoyed gospel, listening to sermons and classical instrumental music, humming familiar songs and watching reruns of old comedies. She loved recounting stories of her childhood and would end it with it’s not a little me go through”. She was curious about national and international developments and would chide her family for not making this a priority. She was a generous, selfless, caring, and devoted mother and grandmother who loved God and whose unconditional love stretched far beyond family and friends. She leaves behind her children: Everett, Lilieth, Shirley, Yvonne, Joan, Trevor, Carlton, Charmaine, Sharon, Mark and Yasmin. She was also the proud grandmother of 34 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She also mourned the loss of a son Junior who died in 1996. In New York, Louise was lovingly cared for by her daughters Sharon, Yvonne and Charmaine and granddaughter Jodi.

Louise Smith

November 15, 1927 - September 13, 2024