Mildred Birge Smith

Shreveport, LA – Mildred Faye Birge Smith, 94, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born on November 8, 1930, to Harry James Birge and Leola Abrantes Birge and passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025.

A graveside service officiated by Minister Jerry Hodge of University Church of Christ was held at Rocky Mount Cemetery in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, where she was laid to rest beside her husband of 67 years, Robert Lewis "Bobby" Smith, Sr.

Mildred is survived by her five children: Charlotte Ann Smith Samples (Husband, James Lanny) of Cullman, AL; Marilyn Jean Smith Bullock of Shreveport, LA; Ruth Ellen Smith Guilliams-Bassett (Husband, Mike) of Shreveport, LA; Robert Lewis Smith, Jr. (Wife, Catherine Allen) of Denton, TX; and Charles Wayne Smith of Shreveport, LA.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Luke Bullock of Baton Rouge, LA; Matthew Guilliams of Houston, TX; Mary Guilliams Goodchild of Houston, TX; Emily Samples of Clarksville, TN; Robert Lewis "Rob" Smith III, of Los Angeles, CA; and Amber Smith of Shreveport, LA. Mildred also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren who brought great joy to her life.

A lifelong resident of Shreveport, she was deeply devoted to her family. After getting the family established, she returned to school with determination, earning her high school equivalency diploma, followed by both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Medical Records Administration from Louisiana Tech.

She stood by her husband through every chapter of their life together-supporting him from his early days as a house painter, through his leadership in Painters Local #485, and as they pursued their shared dream of running a family farm.
Mildred and her husband were pioneers in Louisiana agriculture, becoming among the earliest commercial blueberry growers in the state. Together, they established a farm that served as a testing center for blueberry cultivation and processing in North Louisiana. They were founding members of the Louisiana Blueberry Association and worked side by side for over two decades, producing "Sweet Louisiana Blues," a product of their hard work and passion. After 25 years, they sold their interest in the farm and returned to Shreveport for a well-earned retirement.

Mildred will be remembered for her kindness, grace, and tireless dedication to her family and community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the family she so dearly loved.