[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MRS. LOUIS SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
resourceful and ambitious mother, Mrs. Louise Smith. Mrs. Smith has 
shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to 
live a productive life.
  Louise Smith was born on February 21, 1925 in Laurel, Mississippi.
  Mrs. Smith married Samuel Smith on March 10, 1946 and together they 
had 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls. They moved to Yazoo City, 
Mississippi in the 1950s. When the youngest child was enrolled in 
kindergarten, Mrs. Smith enrolled in beauty school and later received 
her license to become a hairstylist. She and her good friend, Dorothy 
Casey, co-owned a beauty salon in downtown Yazoo City which opened in 
early 1970s and remained open for over 30 years. When you stopped by to 
get your hair done, you not only received a great hair styling, but you 
also got many words of wisdom with a little gospel to lift up your 
spirits until the next time you came.
  Mrs. Smith was once a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church on 
Brickyard Hill in Yazoo City with her husband and children. There she 
and several other women met and formed a gospel group known as the 
Gospel Carolettes. Her husband sang with them as well. The Gospel 
Carolettes not only sang in Church but at various Christian events 
spreading the news of the gospel. They also sang on the radio station 
WAZF each Sunday morning.
  Mrs. Smith left Chapel Hill Baptist Church with her husband and 
children to become a member of New Zion Baptist Church where her son, 
Rev. Willie E. Smith, is the pastor. There she, not only served as a 
Mother of the church, but also works with the Mission women. Mother 
Smith taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at New Zion.
  Mrs. Smith has been a mother and/or grandmother figure to many in the 
church and in her neighborhood; always welcoming others into her home, 
which has always displayed an array of beautiful flowers in the yard 
and many green plants indoors for comfort, decoration and fresh air. 
Louise enjoys gardening and preparing dinner with vegetables from her 
garden on Sundays for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren 
and any other visitors from the community.
  Mrs. Smith has pushed to be a role model not only for her children 
and grandchildren, but to all in her community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Louise Smith for her dedication for change and serving her community.

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