Louise N. Smith

Louise Nellie Smith Passed away on September 30, 2011 at the age of 87. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana the daughter of Nina Woodruff and Otha Lewis. Louise dropped out of high school during her senior year to marry Richard Shirley. The marriage did not last long and Louise worked hard for many years to raise her five children alone. After her youngest daughter graduated from high school, Louise returned to night school and earned her high school diploma in tailoring from Crispus Attucks High School. Louise was gifted in the creative arts. She excelled in cooking, sewing, and arts and crafts. Out of necessity and a love for sewing, Louise made clothing for herself and her children. She won awards for her dressmaking. Louise also made bird cages and other handcrafted items that she gave away to friends and family. She received a scholarship to the John Herron School of Art while in high school. Louise was the only non- chef Black female member of the Chef De Cuisine Society of Indianapolis and was loved and respected by the award-winning chefs who were members of the organization. She was also a member of the American Culinary Federation. Louise won several awards as a member of these organizations. She worked at the private members-only Keys Supper Club, Gigis, the Chanteclair French Restaurant, (at the top of the airport Holiday Inn), the Hilton Hotel and many other fine dining venues. She retired from Crystal Catering. Louise married the love of her life, Donald Wesley Smith on December 29, 1980. He passed away on July 1, 2002. She was preceded in death by her sisters Betty Woodruff, Vivian Marshall, Augusta Lewis, Evelyn Purvine, Alice Morton (Charles), sister-in-law Constance McDaniel and brother-inlaw Clarence Shirley. She is survived by her sister, Kathrine Grimes; sisters-in-law, Norma Featherstone, LaVerne Pinner (Charles) and Audrey Bellamy; six children, Charlotte Hazelwood, Nina McCoy, Larry Shirley (Mildred), Gregory Shirley (Arvetta), Vivian Williams and Derrick Wesley Smith; 15 grandchildren, Michelle Jackson (Carl), Michael Woodruff (Denetia), Lynn Rowland (LeMonte), Fana McCoy, Nina Barrow (Jon), Zachary Shirley, Gregory Shirley, Tamara Carthen (Mark), Kenneth Wells (Stephanie) and Analise Waters; 24 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; cousins, Vernon Chatmon, Andrew Chatmon, John Hause and Gerald Hause. She also embraced her fellow members of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Services will be held on Saturday October 8, 2011 at 1 p.m. in Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 1003 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will be in Washington Park North Cemetery, 2706 Kessler Blvd West Dr. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan