It’s 4:30 AM in the fields. Cowboys from all over are stirring with first light. Reveille, the Army trumpet wake up call, is blaring through the speakers, yet one cowboy has kicked up his boots and gone home. Jewel Smith passed on March 13, 2022. Jewel loved late nights at trail rides, the deep roar of a train horn, a strong horse, pancakes smothered in syrup, and his family, not necessarily in that order. From his perfectly pressed shirts and creased wranglers to his crisp suits and sunglasses, Jewel was a man that we aspired to be like or be around. He spent his life in service, starting with serving in the Army in Vietnam, 30 years with Kansas City Southern where he was the 2nd black Engineer in the state of Louisiana, over 40 years as an usher at New Zion Baptist Church, President of Bayou Riding Club, and serving as wagon driver with the Northeast Trail Riders Association for over 20 years. Jewel will finally rest.
Services for Jewel will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Doyline.