Eric Maxine Smith Lingo

1925 - 2021

Eric Maxine Smith Lingo departed this earth on April 23, 2021, having lived 95 years. Maxine was always smiling, with a twinkle in her eye, never meeting a stranger, a friend to all. She was an accomplished poet, having won a Poet of Merit Award from the International Society of Poets. Her published book of poetry was self-titled "A Joyful Journey", the way she thought of her long and happy life. Maxine's career highlight was her appointment as Regional Representative of the Louisiana Tourist Commission, in Monroe, Louisiana, where she could share her love of Louisiana and its history. She worked there until she retired. Eric Elizabeth Wright was born on May 6, 1925 near Baskin, Louisiana, the third of five children of Robert Wesley Wright and Lucille Reagan Wright. She often talked about her happy childhood and wrote poems about it. When Eric wasn't doing her farm chores, she was reading (a lifelong love of hers) and studying. She graduated Salutatorian from Sicily Island High School but chose to forego college to marry the date after graduation. She married the love of her life, Homer Smith of Jena, whom she met when she was 14 years old. When Homer chose to become a Minister of the Church of Christ, she accompanied him to Henderson, Tennessee where he attended Freed-Hardeman University. Thus began her 47 years as a Preacher's Wife, a title she loved and carried out enthusiastically, even though they moved often between Texas and Louisiana, and lots of small towns spreading the gospel. They finally became homeowners in 1972 when they built a home in Swartz that she called Pleasant Land. Together they built the Swartz Church of Christ congregation from only 3 couples to one of the largest in the area. Three years after Homer died, Maxine met and married Ed Lee Lingo of Little Rock, Arkansas and they shared seven happy years together before he died in 2004. Maxine returned to "the farm" near Rayville, Louisiana, and spent her last twenty years living next door to her sister Edwina "Doodie" Burrier, spending lots of time on her front porch, enjoying the pond, the birds and her flowers, and spending quality time with her many nieces and nephews in the area, especially little Leah Carroll. She was a devoted member of the Rayville Church of Christ. By far her greatest joy was her family of 6 children, Brenda, Sandy, Greg, Bob, Homer, and Robin, her 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She entertained them with her stories, and shared her love of life, her optimism, her determination, her sense of humor and her family's history. She taught them that compassion, character and integrity are the most important traits. She took great pride in all of her children and grandchildren's achievements, in whatever their chosen work, and in their schoolwork, those who attained college degrees and advanced degrees. She is survived by her siblings Edwina Wright Burrier of Rayville and Daniel David Wright (Ann) of Colorado City, Colorado; daughter Sandra Thompson Herman (Russ) of New Orleans; her son Robert Bob Smith (Jenifer) of Greenville, South Carolina, and her daughter Robin Phillips of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Beth Thompson Jackson (Rick), Colorado; Ronald Ray Thompson, Jr., Louisiana; Sonya Kirchoff, Florida; Walt Kirchoff, Arkansas; Susan Kirchoff James, Louisiana; Sandy Kirchoff Denty (Chris), Arkansas; Melisa Smith Wall (Dave), North Carolina; Jamie Addison (Debbie), Louisiana; Brice Phillips, West Virginia; and nine great-grandchildren, Bradley and Ella Jackson, Katelyn and Reece Denty, Caroline and Benjamin Wall, and Hunter, Riley and Tyler Addison. Preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Patsy Wright Phillips and John Wright, her daughter Brenda Kirchoff Sanders, her sons Gregory Smith and Homer Smith and her grandson Logan Phillips. Special thanks for the loving and devoted care of her niece Darlene Burrier Allen, her husband Bill Allen of Winnsboro, Darlene's daughter D'Juana O'Briant and to Maxine's long-time aides Samantha Haynes and Jackie Smith. Visitation at Mulhearn Funeral Home in Rayville at 507 Foster Street in Rayville, Louisiana, at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 25, 2021, followed by services at 3:00 p.m. Services to be led by her nephew Murphy Phillips, Jr. of Crawford, Texas, a Church of Christ minister. Singing led by her nephew Paul Wright of Monroe. Burial next to her first love Homer Smith at Resthaven Garden of Memories, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021. Pallbearers will be Jamie Addison, Bill Allen, Shane Carroll, Joel Chaky, Rick Jackson, Jacob Obriant, Ray Thompson and Ron Thompson. Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com.