Sonja W. Smith

Mrs. Sonja W. Smith, age 69, of Ocean Springs, MS. passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. Smith was born in Laurel, MS, where she graduated from George S. Gardner High School. She met and eventually married the love of her life, Woodrow Smith (Ken) in 1960 and they settled in Ocean Springs in 1975. Sonja was employed by the National Park Service in Ocean Springs for a number of years and later by the U. S. Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Ingalls in Pascagoula. She resigned in 1994 when her husband retired from that organization. She was preceded in death by her son, Larry W. Smith, parents Orval H. Walters and Donnie Walters, and brothers Louis, Olin and Houston Walters. Survivors include her spouse of 51 years Woodrow K. Smith; son Jeffrey S. Smith (Cherie) of Ocean Springs; daughter-in-law, Tammy Smith of Long Beach, MS, brothers Jerry Walters of Ocean Springs, Rayburn Walters (Ellen) of Houston, TX; sisters Lenora DeFino of Winchester, Ky, Eileen Everett (Paul) of Brandon, MS; grandchildren Krista Toehay (Wesley) of Ocean Springs, Larry W. Smith Jr of Gautier, Meggan Reisch (Chris) of Ocean Springs and Jacob Yeager (Bridgette) of DIberville; great-grand- daughter Olivia Toehay and special family friend Tracy McDougal of Ocean Springs. Special thanks to Dr. Benjamin Gatewood and staff at the Ocean Springs Hospital Cancer Center and St. Joseph's Hospice staff, especially Debbie Hall, for their continuous care. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 1, 2012, from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm, with a 2:30 pm Memorial Service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home.