Ola Smith

Funeral service for Ola B. “T-Nanny” Smith of New Orleans will begin at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at St. Mark's Fourth Baptist Church (2130 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112). Burial will be held at 12:30pm on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Cemetery in Hamburg, LA.

Ola B. “T-Nanny” Smith was born to the parents of Rev. Ulyss Brooks and Gertrude West Brooks on April 4, 1937 in Hamburg, LA. She was baptized at 11 years old at Shiloh Baptist Church by her uncle Rev. James Bannister. Ola at the age of 83 entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

She graduated from Simmesport High School and furthered her studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Minor in Speech. She also received her Master’s Degree in Education from Southern University and 30 plus hours from SUNO and did further studies at UNO.

She was employed by the Avoyelles Parish School Board from 1959-1964 as an English teacher. After marrying Rufus Smith, she moved to New Orleans, LA and joined the St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church under Rev. E.J. Thompson where she remained a member until her death. While serving at St. Mark’s, she served in many ministries, namely: President of the Junior Deaconess, Director of the Young People Ministry, Mission President, President of the Benevolence Society, Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Vacation School, Pastor Support Club, BTU ministry, the Witnessing Out Reach Ministry, and President of the Almeda Brown Ministry. She was very active in the First District Missionary Baptist Association Woman’s Auxiliary. She was President of the Deaconess’ Ministry and a member of the devotion ministry.

She was hired by the Orleans Parish School Board in 1964 and remained there until her retirement in 2002. While employed in the parish, she worked at two schools, James Derham, Jr. High School as a reading, speech, and English teacher. The second school was Murray Henderson where she was employed as a Chapter I teacher and became Interim Principal. She also worked in the Central Office of the School Board as a receptionist two years before she retired.

Those left to cherish her memory are her godson, Kevin Patton (Margaret) and great-great nephew and niece, Kanaan and Kenzi Patton. Also, she leaves to mourn nephews, Nathaniel (Donna) Carter, Dennis Carter, Emmaniel Carter, Roosevelt Patton, Ketric (Michelle) Patton, Terrence Brooks, Dennis Carter, Dorian Carter, Eric Carter, and Derrick Carter; and nieces, Arieal Patton, Megan Carter, and Denise Carter.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers: Keith Davis, Charlie Dunbar, Donald Haynes, Charles Reynolds, Larry Turner, and John Williams. Honorary pallbearers: Nathaniel Carter, Emmanuel Carter, Dennis Carter, Ray Fowler, Kanaan Patton, Ketric Patton, Kevin Patton, and Roosevelt Patton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ulyss Brooks and Gertrude West Brooks; and all of her siblings.

Visitation will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at St. Mark's Fourth Baptist Church in New Orleans.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in Ola's memory be made to St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church (2130 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112). If you should chose to order flowers, please use Mona's Accents (504-944-7001) 2109 N. Claiborne Ave. New Orleans, LA 70116.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Escude Funeral Home (318-964-2324) 6608 Porterie St. Mansura, LA 71350.