Sylvia Jean Wright Smith, 85, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Sylvia was the second of three children born to Albert and Mariam Wright. Growing up in Mobile, Ala., and then moving to Orange, Texas, when her father took a job with the shipyard in Orange. There, in High school, she would meet the love of her life, Billy Ray Smith. They would marry soon after high school and settle in Sulphur La., where Bill would take a job at the local Firestone facility. Together they would have three children. In her early years, she was busy taking care of her family. She was always bringing the kids to football, basketball, and baseball games as well as dance classes and cheerleading clinics. Later, when the kids were grown, she began working at the Mother’s Day Out program at First Baptist Church in Sulphur, where she retired as director after 27 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church for over 62 years.
Sylvia was a very kind, humble, and generous person, always putting the needs of others before herself. Her smile would light up the room. Even in the twilight of her life, she would ask how everyone was doing, and was always quick to tell you that she loved you. She was the model Christian woman.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Gary Smith and wife Leslie, Jim Smith and wife Dianna, and beloved daughter, Lynn Barrilleaux; grandchildren, Jeremy Smith (Desi), Tiffany Doucet (Joe), Tania Siriphone (Casey), Tressa Smith, Jonah Smith, Wyatt, Jake, and Josh Barrilleaux; great-grandchildren, Mikayla Matte, Jolie, Lyla, and Ellie Doucet, Jax and Jase Smith; brother, Alvin Wright (Shirley) of Orange, Texas; brother-in-law, Clinton Smith (Vivian) , also of Orange, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Billy Ray Smith; parents, Albert and Mariam Wright; sister and brother-in-law, Charles and Linda Peet; and son-in-law, Randall Barrilleaux.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Johnson and Robison Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.robisonfuneralhome.com.