Bob Smith

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM, Monday, August 6, 2007, at St. Peter Catholic Church, in New Iberia for Bob Elie Smith, 75, who died Friday, August 3, 2007 in a Lafayette hospital. Entombment will follow in Holy Family Mausoleum. Rev. Paul Zoghby and Rev. Keith DeRouen will be the Celebrants. Mr. Smith was a lifetime educator in Iberia Parish. He began teaching at the age of 19, then became principal at Magnolia Elementary, New Iberia Jr. High, New Iberia Senior High, then became Superintendent of Iberia Parish Schools. After retiring he started teaching at the Louisiana Tech College Teche Area Campus for the past 15 years. Total years of service were 50 years. Bob also served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was an active member of many educational, civic and social organizations. Having received many awards, he most recently was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL). Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Emma Jean Ackal Smith of New Iberia; sons, Stuart Smith of New Iberia, David Smith of Lafayette, Craig Smith of Lafayette, Steven Smith and fianc?e Veronica Segura of New Iberia; daughter, Susan Lalande and husband David of Rayne; brother, Dr. Larry Smith of Olympia, Washington; sister, Barbara Scallan of New Iberia; grandchildren, Melissa Lalande, Jason Lalande, Martin Smith, and Claire Lalande. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Tavy Deshotel Smith; a son, Bob Elie Smith, Jr; granddaughter, Sydnie Claire Smith. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. Visitation will continue Monday, from 9:00 AM until time of service. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Sunday, by Rev. Keith DeRouen. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Craig Smith, Steven Smith, Larry Verret, Charles Lanza, Anthony Ackal, Jason Lalande, Sammy Cartimiglia, and Bert Guiberteau. The family would like to express special appreciation to the Lafayette General Hospital, 7th Floor Nursing Staff and to the ICU Staff. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105. Pellerin Funeral Home of New Iberia, 365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.