LIFE EPITOME

At 9:00 am on Sunday, February 11, 2024, Sarah Fortner Smith, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and friend to many, departed this life to inherit her heavenly reward.

Sarah Mae Fortner (affectionately known as "Aunt Sae Mae") was born on April 23, 1932, to Mary Etta and Wesley Fortner Sr., in Monroe, Louisiana.  She was the sixth child of seven to this union.  At the age of fourteen, Sarah accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized at Pleasant Green Baptist Church.

Upon completing high school in Monroe, Louisiana, Sarah went on to matriculate at Grambling State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1955.

After graduation, she married Thomas Arthur Smith (affectionately known as "T. Arthur") on

June 12, 1955 in Bastrop, Louisiana.  To this union, they were blessed with five beautiful children: Dwain, Steve, Michael, LaSandra and Darreyl.

In 1957, Sarah, along with her husband, T. Arthur, and son, Dwain, moved to Houston, Texas.  They joined Phillippi Baptist Church.  Later, they joined Strait Life Missionary Baptist Church, where she was very active.  She served on the Deaconess Board and had been the Director of Vacation Bible School for a year.  After leaving Strait Life, she went to Fallbrook Church until she was no longer able to attend.

While being a dedicated wife and mother and taking care of her home, Sarah worked as a Substitute Teacher in the Houston Independent School District for twenty-eight years.

After retiring, Sarah spent her remaining years devoted to her husband and family.  She was always there as a listening and encouraging ear.  Her straight-forward nature gave you the truth "in love" and sometimes, she sprinkled an added dose of the Word, to let you know what she was saying is what God wants and requires.  Without fell she ended every "I love you" to her, with an "I love you more.  Until the day she closed her eyes, Sarah continued to lean on her faith in God and encouraged her family to do the same.  She also enjoyed her daily dose of soap operas, game shows, crossword puzzles, solitare and above all else, reading or listening to the Word of God to get through her day.  Sarah Fortner Smith was a beautiful, kind soul.  Her memory and love will continue to live on in the hearts of her family.

Sarah is preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, Wesley Fortner, Jr. and four sisters: Omeria Fortner Grant, Luella Fortner Wilson, Thelma Fortner Williams and Dorsia Fortner Foster.

She leaves to cherish the memory of her beautiful life, 4 sons; Dwain Smith (Gwen), Steve Smith (Valarie), Michael Smith (LaShena), Darreyl Smith (Pamela) and one daughter; LaSandra Smith Wilkerson (Rodney) all of Houston, Texas.  She will also live in the heart of her sister, Ethel Fortner Jones of Monroe, Louisiana; 19 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Sarah Fortner Smith departed this life February 11, 2024. Visitation Saturday February 24, 2024, from 9-11am. Funeral 11am. Services will be held at Pleasant Hill B.C. 1510 Pannell St. Interment Monday February 26, 2024, at 10am.