Emma Smith

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM Monday, May 17, 2010 at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Emma Jean Ackal Smith, 75, who passed away Saturday, May 15, 2010 in New Iberia at her home while surrounded by her loving family. Entombment will follow in the Holy Family Mausoleum. Rev. Charles E. Langlois, Rev. Paul Zoghby, and Rev. Keith Derouen will officiate the service. Emma Jean was a graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy in the class of 1952. She then attended SLI and received a degree in Education and also graduated from St. Mary Dominican College in New Orleans. She was a member of a Bridge Club and the Kappa Kappa Iota Education Sorority (KKI). Emma Jean retired after many years of service with the Iberia Parish School Board. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and caring friend who will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include four sons, Stuart Mark Smith of New Iberia, David Ackal Smith of Lafayette, Craig Anthony Smith of Lafayette, and Steven Paul Smith and wife Veronica of New Iberia; one daughter, Susan Claire Smith Lalande and her husband David of Rayne; one twin brother, Anthony H. Ackal of New Iberia; one brother in law, Dr. Larry Smith of Olympia, Washington; one sister in law, Barbara Smith Scallan of New Iberia; four nieces, Allison Ackal Herrera of Lafayette, Ashley Ackal Dartez of Lafayette, Deborah Scallan Hunter of Lafayette, and Cassandra Scallan of San Francisco, California; five grandchildren, Melissa Renee Lalande, Jason Louis Lalande, Claire Elizabeth Lalande, Martin Paul Smith, and Colby Segura. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob E. Smith; parents, Elias H. Ackal and Dola DeRouen Ackal; Maternal Grandparents, Emma LeBlanc DeRouen and Adonis DeRouen; Paternal Grandparents, Julia Betar and Antoine Ackal; Parents in Law, Sidney and Tavy Smith; one grandchild, Syndie Claire Smith; and one infant son, Bob E. Smith, Jr. Mass Readers will be Emma Jean's granddaughter, Melissa Lalande and her cousin, Dalel Helo Ackal. Gift bearers will include her grandchildren, Melissa Lalande, Jason Lalande, Claire Lalande, Martin Smith, and her godchildren, Ashley Ackal Dartez, Kathryn Zoghby Beagle, and Cassandra Scallan. David Lalande will read the Eulogy. Pallbearers will be Steven Smith, Craig Smith, Jason Lalande, Gabe Ackal, Sammy Cartimilgmia, and John Ackal. Honorary pallbearers include Alfred Ackal, Camille Ackal, John Betar, George 'Bobby' Betar, Michael Zoghby, Michael Doumit, Juan Herrera, Bob Dartez, Charles Lanza, Fred Hoyer, Errol 'Romo' Romero, Jim Chauvin, Kyng Tutt, Larry Verret, and Victor Verret. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Sunday. Visitation will then continue Monday from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM. The family would like to thank Dr. James Flaterman, Jr. and his staff, Dr. David Rinald and his staff, Hospice of Acadiana, Med Source Home Health, Emma Jean's Caregivers and a special acknowledgement to Ms. Ruby Smith. Memorial Donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, American Diabetis Association, American Cancer Society, and Hospice of Acadiana. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.