Edith Jett Smith

Edith Jett Smith entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024, at the age of 90. Widow of Henry C. Smith, Sr., she was the 4th of 9 children born to Albert S. and Louise (Box) Jett, Sr. in uptown New Orleans. Edith attended McDonogh #35 Senior High School, where at age 13 she met Henry, the love of her life. She also joined the NORD Progressive Allstars. Nicknamed “Lefty” for her dominant hand, she became one heck of a softball pitcher. After graduating high school, she attended Xavier University of LA, earning a B.A. in English. She taught high school English for 20 years in the Orleans Parish School System before retiring in 1981, although she continued to teach long after. Edith was a devout Catholic and was highly involved with St. David’s Church and school. While her children were attending St. David, she served in numerous roles: basketball coach, softball coach, CCD teacher, librarian, fair organizer, computer science teacher, lector, Cub and Boy Scout Den mother, a member of All Congregations Together (ACT) and was a St. Louis IX Medallion award recipient. She was an excellent cook, and everyone who had the privilege of tasting it believed her gumbo was the best. Edith is the sister of Charles and the late Albert, John, Mary, James (Delores), Willie Mae, Lydia, and Ronald, the mother of Henry Jr., Iona, Denise, Thurston (Lisa), Ramsey, Novelle, and the late Emma Smith and the grandmother of Evana Badie and Mahalia Smith. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Relatives and friends of the family and employees of Orleans Parish School Board, St. Joseph Hospice, LCMC, LSU Family Practice, Touro Infirmary and Ochsner Health are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. David Catholic Church, 5617 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117 on August 10th, 2024, at 10 am, preceded by a visitation beginning at 9 am. Interment: Providence Memorial Park, 8200 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA 70003. Arrangement by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.

Edith Jett Smith

July 31, 2024