Mark Smith Obituary, Death – Mark was born in Monroe, Louisiana on May 1, 1959, and on January 7, 2023, while being held by his family, he quietly entered the arms of Jesus. He graduated from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM). Before moving into account management at W.W. Grainger, he spent the first 27 years of his career as a sales representative for Cleveland Cotton Products, Del Monte, Pillsbury, and RPS. During that period, he was recognized seven times as a Presidents Club member (the top 1% of sales in the company) and twice as an Annual Achiever.
As a result, he received prize vacations to Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, The Bahamas, England, Australia, San Diego, Maui, and Puerto Rico in the previous year, which was also his favorite. Mark’s parents, George and Billie Smith, passed away before him. The 40th wedding anniversary of Mark and Laura would have been in May. They had six grandkids total, including Marston Bamburg, who referred to his grandfather as “Super Papaw,” as well as Wesson, Archer, Dosson, and Campbell Smith. They had two children, Kevin Smith and Remie, and Kayla Bamburg and Joe.
Along with his great-nephew and niece JR and Jessica Ellis, he also leaves behind his treasured nieces Kari Ellis and her husband John, Kristi Buerger, and her husband Eric, who he loved dearly. He also leaves behind his wife Beverly and brother Roger Smith. The Lea Joyner Memorial Methodist Church (formerly Southside Methodist), where Mark had been a longtime member, is where the family of Mark has requested that memorial donations be made.
Mark’s close friends Mickey and Laurie Traweek, Mark and Donna Thomas, Andy and Phyllis Thompson, the Genesis Sunday School Class, the lab staff at Affinity Health Group, and the Grainger employees D’anna, Daniel, Roger, Samantha, and Tammy are all acknowledged by the family for their kindness and support during Mark’s brief illness.
Mark Smith, 63, will have a memorial service at the Lea Joyner Memorial Methodist Church in Monroe, Louisiana, on January 14, 2023. Ben McGehee and Betty Swanson, the Revs., will be in charge. The Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, Louisiana will be open for visitation from 1:00 PM until the start of the service.