Joan Viator Smith

Coteau – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, for Joan Viator Smith, 60, who passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Calcutta House. 

Entombment will follow in the Church Cemetery. 

Rev. Brian Harrington will be the Celebrant. 

Visitation will be Thursday, from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, at Pellerin Funeral Home, and will continue Friday, from 9:00 am until 1:15 pm. A rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Thursday. 

A native and lifelong area resident, Joan was born on December 2, 1963, to the late Abel and Jeanette Dore Viator, and was a 1981 graduate of New Iberia Senior High. She enjoyed going to concerts, estate sales, going to the movies, and celebrating holidays and birthdays, where she would always take an abundance of photographs. 

Joan’s life was an overwhelming testament to the transformative power of selfless love, inspiring countless lives and brightening the world around her. Always prioritizing others’ needs above her own, she took pride in being present and available to everyone. From decorating for events, to making her famous brownies for any and every function, to helping grieving loved ones, to dedicating her life to taking care of her own mother, and other elders after her mother’s passing; she was a care giver to her core. Always thinking of others and never hesitating to lend a hand, whether it was asked of her or not. Joan always showed up with a bag of tricks for anything you could ever need, and you did indeed always need something from that bag. She loved her grandkids more than anything in her life, and always had a toy or treat for them. Her generosity and loving nature will never be matched, but we are all better people for her being in our lives. 

Survivors include her children, Misti Dyson Turner (Teddy), and Marcus E. Smith, all of Coteau; grandchildren, Jordyn Turner and Ridge Turner, both of Coteau; Brothers, Randy Viator (Sandy) of Coteau, Karl Viator (Debbie) of Lydia, and Kerry Viator (Liz) of Parks; several nieces and nephews; and Brandie Landry, who was like a daughter to her. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Abel and Jeanette Dore Viator; and her former husband, Timothy J. Dyson. 

Pallbearers will be Marcus Smith, Teddy Turner, Dylan Viator, Brandon Barrilleaux, Raymond Dore, Randy Viator, and John Viator. 

The family would like to give special thanks to Crystal Hancox, FNP, Ochsner University Hospital, and The Calcutta House, for their exceptional care and compassion. 

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)