Elizabeth Nancy Gamble Smith

Elizabeth Nancy Gamble Smith, 85, a resident of Patterson, passed away peacefully, February 26, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

 Elizabeth was born September 2, 1938, in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Hugh Alonzo Gamble Sr. Alice Elizabeth Hitchcock Gamble.

It's hard to put into words eighty five years of living. Elizabeth Smith loved her husband and family of whom she spoke so often. She was quite proud of her family, as well she should be they all intelligent accomplished individuals. Elizabeth was a shining example hard work, fun, ethics and spreading the word of GOD. I remember her saying go the extra mile. When are doing a job for some one do more than you are asked to do , you are building your reputation. Word of mouth goes a long way. She said, God didn't say it would be easy but, he did say he would be there every step of the way.

She worked hard in and around her home for her husband and family. She painted, and she like to read. She cooked from scratch 3 meals a day.  She baked planned holidays and birthday's with food, fun games and all the trimmings. The home made bread was delish. She kept the kids busy with scavenger hunts. Made our whole house a haunted house everyone loved it. Kids were kept busy with sports of all kinds and she was there for every game. She kept children busy with skating, swimming, movies, school activities and  family get togethers. She always had something for us to do, our chores, yard work, home work, but don't get into trouble...

She married young and had responsibilities while being a military wife where the husband was out for sea for three months at a time. She took care of the wives, keeping up moral, organizing group activities outings, and picnics. She would have groups over for coffee when the kids got off to school. They would talk, share, vent and support each other.

She had many hats while her family grew. Owning and running a gas station and starting another 6 figure company and keeping the books on both. She held a CDL license, a business license, a HAMM operator license and certified nursing license. She drove a gold mining truck so big it had a 17 foot ladder just to get to the cab. She worked the county road and bridge. She ran and cooked in a restaurant. She was past matron of Eastern Star Chapter #97. She and her husband had a nursing home ministry preaching, teaching and singing with elderly who could not get to church any more. They volunteered for disaster relief spreading the word of God, cooking meals, cleaning debris, just what ever needed to be done to help others in need. They were chaplains of the truck stop ministry.

She encouraged her kids to go to church and get educations. She kept up with politics, voted, and hung a flag in the yard. All her boys and most of her grand sons served in the military. She tried to keep up with her family tree and history. Her dad's great uncle Hugh Alonzo Fraizure was of sottish royalty and his funeral was 4 hours long down the streets of San Franciso, California. His picture, bigger than life, hung in the "Flood Building". Her grandmother painted, and  hunted for the market when women did not do that sort of thing. She also painted fine China, which she sold to "White House" Department store during the depression era.

People use to say I looked just like my mother and I hated it, but as I grew I found it to be a high complement and honor. People knew her from all over and would always tell me what a wonderful lady she was. How much they loved her kindness and help she gave them. She was very intelligent. She thought outside of the box. Jobs that needed to be done she got it done.

Saturday Mom sat in her living room in her recliner she ate, drank, napped, listened to tv then wanted to go back to bed. Mom stopped really talking Sunday before she passed Sunday after noon she stopped eating and couldn't drink from a straw or by mouth. We place drops of water on her tongue. Monday she wasn't opening her eyes. She would talk but could not really hear or under stand much of what she said and she was breathing a little faster. Home health nurse came over checked her out and she left. We sat with her talked with her. I was leaving for work and told her I would see her in the morning, and I Love YOU Mom. She said plainly I LOVE You. It was 5 p.m. I left for my job. By 7p.m. I got a call from my son that my mother had passed away. I never thought she was going to pass today. But she did.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 25 years, Ray L. Smith of Pineville, LA; four sons, Frederick A. Carraway of Houston, TX, Robert “Adam” Carraway of Salman, ID, George R. Smith of Patterson, LA, and Cecil V. Smith of Beaumont, TX; three daughters, Wanda J. Lau Rent of Monroe, LA, Terri L. Bergeron of Patterson, and Wynette “Ruby” Bergeron of Patterson, LA; brother, Hugh A Gamble Jr. of Oakland, CA; grandchildren, Precia Carraway, Leanell Peltier, David “Buddy” Jordan, Jimmy Harmon, Joshua Harmon, Chad Carraway, Christopher Bergeron, Sonny Bergeron, Joey Bergeron, Jerry Bergeron, Travis Carraway, and Ashley Withrow; great-grandchildren, Jasmine Smith, Ariana Harmon, Brecca Harmon, David Jordan III, Janis "Sissy" Jordan, Graydon Baker, Charea Baker; great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Alonzo and Alice Elizabeth Gamble; sisters, Alice Walker, Bertha “Betty” Tuggle; sons, Nathan B. Carraway, Ricky L. Smith; son-in-law Allen "T-Boy" Bergeron, grand son, Freddie Carraway, her 1st husband Charles B. Carraway, and 2nd husband Leroy Stephens.

A memorial visitation will be held at Elizabeth’s home, 202 Hendricks St. in Patterson, from 11 a.m. till’ on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.