Connie J. Smith

Connie J. Smith passed away at her home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the age of 91. She was born on March 12, 1934, in Hammond, Louisiana to John William Lipscomb, Sr. and Thelma Juanita King Lipscomb. A graduate of Hammond High School, Connie won Homecoming Queen and reigned as Strawberry Queen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 67 years, Raymond Marcel Smith; their son Herbert William Smith; and their granddaughter Julia Lea Barham Drago. Also preceding her in passing are her sister Bonnie Mae Fagan and Ruth Carol Naquin; and her brother John William “Billy” Lipscomb, Jr.

Connie is survived by her devoted daughters Johanna Lea Smith and her husband Norman Chenevert, Belinda Connie Schwartzberg and Thelma Rebecca Smith Reier; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one more on the way; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers with At Homecare of Louisiana, all who treated Connie with love and compassion including Lydia Payne, Debra Blakes, Melessia Davis, Glenda Emery, Erica Johnson and Linda Dentro; as well as her nurses, Alecia and Shannon, her CNA, Charnay, and Chaplain Jay Buzbee of Hospice of Baton Rouge.

Connie and Ray traveled the world together. They enjoyed numerous hunts in Mexico, Argentina and Kansas, as well as hiking throughout the Grand Canyon, the Smokey Mountains and Big Bend National Park. Her passion was cooking, and that is one of the many ways she showed her love to family and friends. She shared her joy of feeding others even with the birds in her neighborhood that she spent countless hours watching. Her time outside allowed her to create beautiful gardens around their home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. A Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Honoring Connie as pallbearers are William Christian Reier III, Benjamin Marcel Reier, Jay Meyer Schwartzberg, Kyle Zane Plaisance, Aidan James Diez and Jaxx Raymond Diez.

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