Services celebrating the life of AJ Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Hopewell Baptist Church, Laran, Louisiana with Bro. Dewayne Ramsey officiating.  Graveside services will follow at Farmerville Cemetery in Farmerville, La. The family will receive friends and family at the Church preceding the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church where he treasured the ministry time with the Children’s Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed playing his guitar and singing. AJ retired from the Farmers Home Administration after many years as a county agent. He was a past Police Juryman and member of the Farmerville Lions Club.

AJ was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Forbes Smith, his parents, Morris James and Myrtle Parker Smith, a brother, Douglas Smith and sister, Linda Shipp.

He is lovingly survived by daughters, Andrea Hearn (Ken) and Patricia Ritchie of Gonzales, La., 2 stepsons, Stacy and Jason Barron, grandchildren, Kenny Hearn (Jamie), Kelsey Hearn (Jonna), HaleyTeddlie (Tim), Andrew Ritchie and Ryan Ritchie, great-grandchildren, Emma, Austin, Keira, Case, Gunner, Jordan, Darey, Emmett, Ellis and Elinore Mae. He is also survived by his siblings, Earl Smith, Juanice Johnston, Johnny Smith, Marshall “Red” Smith Jean Franklin and Rita Behrens, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his pastor, Bro. Ramsey and his family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Hearn, Kenny Hearn, Kelsey Hearn, Austin Hearn, Andrew Ritchie and Ryan Ritchie.