Funeral services for Berdiana Bo Smelley, age 91, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2016 in the Chapel of Temple Baptist Church, 1515 S. Service Road West, Ruston, Louisiana with Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 2:30 in the Chapel prior to the service. A private interment will be at Forest Cemetery in Forest, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston, LAMrs. Berdiana Vining Carpenter Smelley was born October 2, 1924 in Darnell, LA and went to rest on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Russ Place, Ruston, Louisiana. Berdiana was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lloyd and Laura Amanda Finley Vining; three sisters: Mrs. Sadie Boughton, Mrs. Dora Dean Davis, and Mrs. Jeanette Arnold; and one brother, Robert (Leo) Vining. Also preceding her in death was her first husband, Allen Watts Carpenter, who she married in 1942. Mr. Carpenter was killed in a military plane crash December 1944. Berdiana married her late husband, D. Harold Smelley, in Ruston, La., on May 8, 1946. They were married for 52 years.Berdiana was a long time member of Temple Baptist Church where she was actively involved with her Sunday school class and church activities. She was an accomplished pianist and played at various church and social events.She graduated from Pioneer High School and finished her education at Louisiana Tech University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1947. After graduation she became the Assistant Home Demonstration Agent for Lincoln Parish. She received a Master of Science degree in 1967. Mrs. Smelley furthered her love for science by teaching Biology at Ruston High School where she retired. One of her other passions was horticulture and she became a Master Gardner and was President for many years of the Sunset Garden Club in Ruston. The Louisiana Baptist Children's Home was a charity she held dear to her heart and supported for many years.Mrs. Smelley is survived by her two sons: Allen Watts Carpenter and wife, Lana, of Ruston, LA and David Lloyd Smelley and wife, Susan, of Shreveport, LA; seven grandchildren: Scott Carpenter and wife, Robin, of Texarkana, TX; Matthew Carpenter of Brandon, MS; Amanda Carpenter Boyd and husband, Marty, of Sunnyvale, CA; Sarah Carpenter Gillen and husband, Craig of Tulsa, OK; Christopher Smelley and wife, Ashley of Ocean Springs, MS; Ryan Smelley of New Orleans, LA; and Heather Smelley Rachal and husband, John of Stonewall, LA; eight great grandchildren: Madalyn and Christian Smelley; Jackson, Pierce, and Davis Rachal; Nolan, Luke, and MacKenzie Gillen; sisters in law: Shirley Vining and Mary Ann Arnold; and a host of nieces and nephews.Pallbearers will be Scott Carpenter, Matthew Carpenter, Cristopher Smelley, Ryan Smelley, Robert Boughton, and Jeff Boughton.In lieu of flowers in her memory, please make donations to the charity of the donor choice.The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Russ Place and the staff of Premier Hospice and for all the support and prayers from family and friends during this very difficult time. Our mother will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Rest in Peace, Mom.Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.