Harriet Gurley Smith passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family.

These are the words from Harriet Smith:

Harriet was a native of her cherished North Carolina, born in Goldsboro on November 14, 1927. She attended Goldsboro High School, where she was Editor of the newspaper and the yearbook and graduated with numerous honors. She was a graduate of Saint Mary's School, a private Episcopal girls' school in Raleigh, and received her BA degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She did graduate work at Duke University, and after moving to Louisiana, completed her Masters' degree at LSUS, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi.

She was preceded in death by her dearly beloved husband of 62 years, Dr. Albert Goodin Smith; by her dear parents Sadye Reid Morris Gurley and Charles Harvey Gurley of Goldsboro, and by her brothers: Charles Harvey Gurley, Jr, of Goldsboro and Charles Harrelson Gurley of Clayton, NC. Also preceding her death were her in-laws Dr. and Mrs. David English Smith of Austin, TX and Mary Ann Smith of Charleston, MO.

Left to cherish her memory are her precious daughter Susan Reid Smith Erba, who came from Virginia to care for her mother in her aging years; her devoted son Alan English Smith; her brother George Morris Gurley of New York City, her sister-in-law Kathy Gurley of Clayton, NC. In addition are her beloved grandchildren: Paul Francis Erba of Shreveport, David Morris Erba of NYC, Samantha Ann Smith of Los Angeles, and Jacob Reid Smith of Dallas.

Her children and grandchildren were the pride of her life and the source of her greatest joy. She cherished the memories of being with them and the beauty, love, and fun that they shared. "Nana" traveled extensively, and especially enjoyed taking each grandchild separately to Europe for their first time.

Harriet taught high school English in Durham, NC, where she met her loving husband Albert, who was on the staff of Duke Hospital. They lived in Durham for many years, their children were born there, and then they moved to Memphis, where Dr. Smith was the Deputy Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Tennessee Medical School. They came to Shreveport in 1970 when the new medical school was being built. Dr. Smith was the original Chairman and Head of the Department of Pathology at LSU Medical School in Shreveport.

Harriet has been a lifelong patron of the arts, and after moving to Shreveport, she continued her many civic and social activities. She belonged to the Symphony Guild, the Opera Guild, The Little Theater Guild, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, and contributed generously to many museums, both in Shreveport and all over the U.S. She was the President of the Medical Auxiliary of the Shreveport Medical Society, President of the Faculty Wives of the Medical School, member of the Women's Board of Centenary College, and belonged to the B and B Stock Club. She and her husband belonged to the Shreveport Club, the Shreveport Country Club, the Cambridge Club, East Ridge Country Club, and Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club. She loved to write, and for a period of time, was a columnist and contributing editor to the Front Gallery magazine.

Harriet was deeply religious and loved her church. Her family belonged to First Methodist Church, where she participated in many activities there, especially the United Methodist Wives.

Harriet was prominent in the duplicate Bridge World, played in tournaments all over the world, and had attained the rank of Gold Life Master. But as much as she enjoyed playing the game, her real love was teaching bridge, which she did for over 25 years. She taught classes at the Womans Department Club, Shreveport Country Club, LSUS, Caddo Magnet School, the Shreveport Bridge House, and many private classes in her home. She was a noted teacher, having given seminars nationally. She was very active in the American Bridge Teachers Association and was awarded their highest accreditation of Master Teacher. She was also certified by the American Contract Bridge League. One of the most meaningful joys was being selected and going with a small group of teachers to Russia, by their invitation to help them set up their bridge clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

She was always pleased every year to have her biography included in Who's Who Publications: Who's Who in America. Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the South, Who's Who of American Women, and Who's Who in American Education.

Harriet lived a full and rewarding life, filled with love and happiness. She loved her family and her home full of antiques and beautiful art. She was loved by many and will always be remembered for her warmth, charm, graciousness, dignity, and generosity of spirit.

Family and friends may assemble for a graveside service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Charleston, Missouri, where she will be buried alongside her husband. Rev. Scott Moon, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, MO, will officiate.

Interment will follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston, MO.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to LSUS Medical School, First Methodist Church, Shreveport Symphony, or St. Jude Children's Hospital in Harriet Smith's name.

II Timothy 1:11

"I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."