Funeral services for Gwendolyn Ates Smith, 78, of Sterlington, LA will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Paron Baptist Church in Sterlington with Rev. Jared Hawthorne and Rev. Kurt Auger officiating. Interment will be at 12:30 PM at Urania, LA at the Urania Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Gwen Smith was born on August 27, 1932 in Urania, LA and passed away on April 25, 2011 in West Monroe, LA from complications following a stroke. She lived her life for her kids and prayed them through many trying and difficult times. Mom had so many friends and people who loved her because she knew how to be a friend. One of the things she enjoyed the most was going to the senior center everyday and eating and visiting with her buddies there. Although she enjoyed good health most of her life, the past year had been difficult and she was tired. She often spoke of how she missed dad and it gives us great comfort to know they are at last together again, sitting on the porch, holding hands and enjoying the beautiful awesomeness of heaven. Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughter, Viky Digangi and son, Dan Smith and wife, Donna; sisters, Bobbie Evans and Gwile Poole; brothers, Vernie Ates and Ray Ates; grandchildren, Lenzi Smith, Bailey Smith, Baxter Smith, Scottie Gosdin, Daniel Bethea and wife, Jennifer, and Stacy and Shawn Howell; great grandchildren, Annabelle Smith, Savannah and Summer Howell, and Danielle Bethea. Pallbearers will be: Tommy Phillips, Gary Tubbs, Terry Fife, David Fife, Josh Evans, and Jeff Pruitt. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Eddie Evans, Butch Evans, and Vern Breland. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at Paron Baptist Church in Sterlington, LA. “Mom, thank you so much for always being there for us. The hole left in our hearts by your leaving can only be filled when we are once again with you and dad. We love and miss you so much.” Viky and Dan