Marilyn Smith Sevier

Marilyn Smith Sevier passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at her home in Covington, LA. She was born on Sunday, August 19, 1928, to Mary Kate Miles and James Davis Smith in St. Louis, MO. At the age of 14, her family moved to New Orleans, LA, when her father was transferred to the local Travelers' Insurance Office. Marilyn attended McMain High School, which was a girls' school at that time. This was during WWII, which she remembered as an interesting time in New Orleans as young men headed out to war. At LSU, Marilyn was a member of Tri Delta Sorority, and a Military Sponsor for Company D. She met her husband, Henry Clay Sevier, Jr., at LSU, and following Henry's graduation from LSU Law School, they moved to his hometown of Tallulah, LA, where they lived until 1997, when they retired to Covington, LA. Marilyn enjoyed noting that until their move to Covington, all her homes had been in cities on the Mississippi River. Elegant and stylish, Marilyn was the perfect homemaker. An artist who painted in both oil and watercolor, created dolls and painted pottery, she used an artistic flair to make a beautiful home, set the perfect table, prepare delicious meals, and, as an exquisite seamstress, make beautiful clothes for herself and three daughters. Known for a complete devotion to her family, she was called "Mel" by those that loved her. A terrific bridge player, she was also active in the Tallulah Presbyterian Church, where she served as elder, and the Covington Presbyterian Church. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her one brother, James D. Smith, Jr., and her grandson Andrew Clayton Elkins. The beloved wife of 67 years of Henry Clay Sevier, Jr., she is survived by three daughters, Linda Sevier Mann (Joe), Janet Sevier Favrot (Thomas), and Mary Kate Sevier Elkins (Gary), and one son, Henry "Clay" Sevier, III (Tammie Morgan), 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family at Covington Presbyterian Church, 222 S. Jefferson St., Covington, LA 70433, on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service. Formal religious services and an interment will take place at Tallulah Presbyterian Church in Louisiana at a future date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covington Presbyterian Church or to the Tallulah Presbyterian Church, 301 Cleveland St., Tallulah, LA 71282, or to the Andrew Elkins Memorial Fund, through Isidore Newman School, 1903 Jefferson Avenue, New Orleans, LA.