Leeonise Davis Smith

Leeonise Davis Smith, 73, awakened to eternal life on November 4, 2021. She was born on July 6, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Herman Davis Sr. and Iva Marguerite Davis (born Reed). After graduating from George Washington Carver High School, she began a career working with children, initially in primary education and retiring as a counselor for troubled youth. Leeonise will be remembered in life for having an insatiable appetite for travel, an impeccable sense of style, and an infectious smile that would brighten the rooms she entered. She had a competitive, playful spirit, and it was rare that you would see her without manicured hands, fine jewelry, and a “fresh new ‘do.” She was an active member of Berean Presbyterian Church, where she spent time volunteering to feed the homeless. She also took part in the Worship Committee, Community Outreach Committee, and Women’s Tea Table group. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, siblings: Herman(Patricia) Davis, Jr., Ophelia (Joseph) Bailey, John Davis, Thomas Davis, Sr., and Daniel Davis, Sr. She is survived by siblings: Pashenia Thomas, Lawrence Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Herbert Davis, and Sidney Davis; her daughter, Jozeslyn Smith; son, Walter (Rachelle Keil) Smith; seven grandchildren: Ashley, Ashton, Darrelyn, Darrell, James, Jaia, and Aja Smith; seven great-grandchildren: Korea Smith, Kelly Thomas, Jr., Kailey Smith, Ashariee Jason, Jaci Smith, Danili Robertson, and Julius Reed, Jr.; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, and friends. Special Acknowledgements to her coworkers, who over the years became friends and family: Edrina Howard, Evelyn Logwood, and Ora Cutno; her second son, Roy Rogers; Sandra Jackson, classmate and long-time friend; sister-in-law Patricia Davis, who became a best friend; beloved niece, Patricia Mercadel, who was a daughter, friend, and trusted confidant, and Socks, her youngest son and four-legged companion. Homegoing services will be held at Berean Presbyterian Church, 1629 Simon Bolivar Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113, Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, New Orleans, LA. Friends and family are requested to wear black and gold to celebrate her life. Arrangements entrusted to D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations via check or money order to Berean Presbyterian Church ( Memo: Leeonise Smith.)