Laurie Jean Smith

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Laurie found joy in the simple and meaningful things that brought people together.

Laurie Jean Smith, of Amite, Louisiana, passed away on October 15, 2026, at the age of 69. She was born on December 4, 1956, in Pensacola, Florida, and will be remembered as a woman whose life was marked by warmth, creativity, faith, and a generous love for others.

Laurie found joy in the simple and meaningful things that brought people together. She loved cooking and baking, and few things pleased her more than feeding people she cared about. Her hands were rarely still, whether she was canning, tending a garden, making jewelry, or preserving treasured memories through scrapbooking. She also enjoyed bird watching and traveling, embracing both the beauty close to home and the experiences waiting farther away. Through these many interests, Laurie created comfort, connection, and lasting memories for those around her.

Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. That church community was one of the places where her spirit of care and fellowship could be felt, and where her life touched others in quiet but meaningful ways.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Robert Casey, whose companionship and love were a cherished part of her life. She also leaves behind her daughters, Angela Nicole Long and Melody Dawn Grimes, and Melody’s spouse, Christopher. In addition to her immediate family, Laurie is survived by her sisters, Patricia  Ann Yowell and Beth Crenshaw Newsom. She is also survived by four bonus children, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews, each of whom carries forward part of her love, her example, and the many memories she helped create. The circle of family she leaves behind stands as a beautiful reflection of the life she built and the care she gave so freely.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Edward Crenshaw; her mother, Elizabeth Annie Crenshaw; her son, Jeremy Wayne Long; her brother-in-law, Carl Yowell; and her brothers, Paul Anthony Crenshaw, Jake Peter Crenshaw, and Ted Lawrence Crenshaw. Their memories remained part of her life, and she now rests reunited with those who went before her.

A memorial service will be held on October 24, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Mt Nebo Baptist Church, 64671 LA-1054, Roseland, Louisiana 70456.

Laurie Jean Smith will be remembered for her open heart, her faithful spirit, and the many ways she made people feel welcomed, nourished, and loved. Her memory will live on in the meals shared around family tables, in gardens tended with care, in treasured keepsakes, and in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.