Oscar Smith Jr.

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Oscar Smith, Jr., 78, of Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2024.

The viewing will be held at Boone Funeral Home in Bossier City, La., on Monday, December 9th,2024 at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, La. Oscar was born in Greenville, Miss:, which he often referred to as “the mighty Greenville.” He graduated from Coleman High School in 1964. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Mississippi State University with a special emphasis on physical education in 1973. He completed the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) and received a commission as an Ensign. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La. in 2001. Oscar married his beautiful bride Willette Wright, on September 26th, 1970, and remained married for 54 years.

Oscar’s post-military career included a range of positions in sports, recreation and fitness management including Youth Activities Director at Keesler AFB, Miss., to Sports Director at Collier Field House at Yongsan Army Base in Seoul Korea, to Superintendent of Recreation Programs for the City of Shreveport, La. He retired in 2009. He held several community leadership roles including serving as past president of the North Shreveport Lions Club.

Oscar is survived by his beloved spouse Willette, daughter Rachelle Smith of Novi, Mich., son, Oscar Smith, III (Tanya) and granddaughter Taylor Smith of Mustang, Okla., and daughter Yolanda Wright of Biloxi, Miss.; his siblings Mattie McKinley (Mack) of Greenville, Miss., Charles Smith (Silvia) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Suzanne Hopkins of Aurora, Colo., Delores Hodges of Greenville, Miss., Margaret Charity of Renton, Va., Grace Scott (Arthur) of Jackson, Miss., Corlis Smith (Darnell) of Greenville, Miss., Sandra Smith of Southaven, Miss., Kenneth Smith (Gloria), Gerald Smith, Sr. (Glenda) of Greenville, Miss., Lisa Nsubuga of Aurora, Colo. and Andre F. Smith (Candace) of Houston, Texas, as well as beloved aunt, Barbara Pearson of Collierville, Tenn., as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

Oscar was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Sr. and Ludie Smith and a brothers ST Smith and Army PFC Willie James Smith. Oscar was a member of First Bossier Baptist Church of Bossier City, La.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Kidney Fund. The family wishes to thank Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI) Nephrologist Dr. Randall G. White and the tireless and devoted staff at DCI Shreveport-East, the Overton Brooks VA Primary Care Team of Dr. Saber Kheiralla and staff, as well as Centerwell Home Health-Shreveport