Christy Fetherkile Smith

Christy Fetherkile Smith was born on October 20, 1958, to Odelia and John Fetherkile Sr in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she remained a resident until her passing on Sunday, September 27, 2026. In 2008, Christy founded the BR Soldier Outreach charity to support soldiers stationed overseas, and like those soldiers, she fought bravely until the very end of her brief battle with cancer.

Never the one to take life for granted or to forget how precious it is, Christy lived and loved to the fullest, and was very involved with her daughter Wendy’s activities. Wendy’s childhood was spent with Christy coaching her softball teams, volunteering with the Girl Scouts’ horse program, and for Wendy’s animal rescue when she began it in 2004.

Christy grew up playing games around the table with her family and she never stopped enjoying a good game of Pokeno, Dominoes or, the one she was a master at, Canasta. She also enjoyed riding Harleys, going on cruises, and making wreaths to raise money for the BRSO, which sent care packages to deployed soldiers.

Christy cherished her family traditions like going to Grand Isle multiple times a year, where crabbing was a favorite activity and taking home shrimp fresh from the dock was a must. But the family tradition Christy loved the most was making homemade candy every December to give to friends and family. It was a tradition her own mother started with her as a child, and everyone on the receiving end of that homemade candy looked forward to it every year. Her family especially looked forward to the days of making the candy with her, and they will continue the custom every December while cherishing their memories of her.

Throughout her adult years, Christy worked for the state (mostly LSU) and supported, volunteered, and networked with many different charitable organizations. She was always willing and ready to help with anything, and it was that attitude, along with all of her many activities and adventures, that earned her so many friends that she treasured. If you were lucky to know Christy and call her a friend or family, honor her memory by never forgetting how much you meant to her.

The family left to honor her memory include her husband of 35 years, Allen Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Christopher Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law, Joey and Mindy Smith; nieces, Michelle “Chelly” Beard and Stephanie Jones and their sons, who Christy called her nephews, Anthony Jones, Vincent Jones, and Seth Gravois; and her bonus family, Faith and Daniel Mayeux and their children Zane and Bell Mayeux, who Christy thought of as her own kids and grandkids.

Christy has been reunited with her late parents, her brother, John Fetherkile Jr, and nephews, Jayson Beard and Jeff Jones.

Wendy wants to thank everyone who was there for her and her mom in those final weeks by spending hours or overnight at the hospital, providing meals, and sending words of encouragement. 

A special mention goes to Christy’s first husband and Wendy’s father, Bobby Mayo, who took care of their dogs during her hospital stay, and never stopped supporting his daughter and family.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge, followed by a service at 3:00 p.m. 

Please consider wearing some red, white, and blue to the service to honor Christy’s charity and support of our soldiers, though all are welcomed to come as they are. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family for final expenses, or to her non-profit BR Soldier Outreach (Support Our Heroes | Donate to BR Soldier Outreach) for their care package send-off for Christmas in November.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com