Louise Smith

Louise "Lou" D. Smith, 89, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 15, 2006.

Born in Barnesville, Ga., on July 31, 1916, to the late Mr. William Duvall and Etta Allen, she was the wife of the late Mr. Noah L. Smith.

Louise was of the Baptist faith. A member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, she and Noah supported the church with the children's home program.

She was widely known in Greenville as the first lady of stock car racing, racing from July 10, 1949, through July 11, 1952. One of her many accomplishments throughout her career was best Grand National placing 16th on Sept. 11, 1949, at Langhorne, Pa.; racing from 1945-1956, she won 38 trophies, and she drove many styles of cars in the bullrings of racing. After 12 years as grand patron of the "Miss Southern 500 Pageant," she resigned Nov. 6, 1989. She officially retired from all racing activity but helped independent drivers occasionally.

Her charity work included Shriners Children's Hospital and Miracle Hill Industries. A member of the Women's Club of Greenville, she was an inspiration. But Louise loved dogs, raising chows after retiring from racing and continued with helping others through her charity work.

Survivors are three nieces, Dora E. Owens, Nell Coker and Golden Riddle; two grandnieces, Lynn Golden and Ruby Sentell; two grandnephews, David Owens and James C. Duvall; several nieces and nephews in Kansas City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Shriners Children's Hospital of Greenville and Hospice of the Upstate, Anderson.

Services are today, April 17, 2006, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Westville Funeral Home, 6010 White Horse Road. Dr. Melvin Aiken from Tabernacle Baptist Church will be officiating the service. Family is receiving friends before the service from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Interment in Graceland West, Greenville.

Online condolences may be sent to our Web site at www.westvillefuneralhome.com. Westville Funerals & Cremations, 864-269-5073.