Obituary - Bonnie Mae (Rhymer) Smiley

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Smiley, Bonnie Mae Rhymer

A resident of Landmark of Baton Rouge Retirement Community and a native of Bristol, Tenn., she passed away on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. She was 85. She worked for many years at the Workwear Pants Factory in Gonzales and later retired as a silk screener with Neese Industries. Visiting at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, from 10 a.m. until religious services in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m., Dr. David Womack, officiating. Interment in Lusk Cemetery, Gonzales. 

Survived by her daughter, Sandra Smiley Champagne and husband Lynn E.; three sisters, Dorothy Hurt, of Tifton, Ga., Sue Castello, of Kingwood, Texas, and Patricia Van Catledge, of Delaware; brother, Bill Rhymer, of Kingsport, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Michael S. Champagne and Amy G. Champagne; and four great-grandchildren, Jackie, Adrian, Brandon and Carolyn. Preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Cecil M. Smiley; parents, Roy C. and Irma Buckles Rhymer; sister, Ruby Tipton; and brother, Chester Rhymer. Pallbearers will be Lynn Champagne, Michael Champagne, John Lasschuit, Loren Champagne, Harry Smith and Melvin Elisar. 

She lived her life to please her Lord Jesus Christ and today is happy in His presence. She was a former faithful church and Sunday school member of the First Baptist Church of Gonzales for more than 30 years and had been a member of Sherwood Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. She was absolutely the sweetest, kindest and most loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister that anyone ever had. She was a wonderful friend to all who knew her and will truly be missed.