Effie “Faye” Georgia Coston Smith departed this life and joined her heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, surrounded by her family.
Effie, affectionately known as “Faye” was the youngest of eleven children, born to the union of Joseph and Sedonia Coston, on June 28, 1934 in Hamburg, Louisiana. Her childhood education and baptism was in Avoyles, Louisiana.
Her family joined Mt. Moriah B.C. under the leadership of Rev. A.J. Meyers. She graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School in 1952 after her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. She met and then later married her husband of 66 years, Willie R. Smith on June 30, 1956. To that union four children were born. Her career was in Special Education until she retired from Orleans Parish Schools in 1998. She was in several ministries at Mt. Moriah: Choir #3, The Mass Choir, the Beautification Board, and the Food Outreach ministry. She served until she moved her membership to Old Pathway B.C., where her husband was called to pastor until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She and her family traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, the day before Hurricane Katrina and made it their home.
Her family immediately joined Farley Community Church under the leadership of Rev. David Blakeney, followed by Dr. Michael Hulsey. She loved her Ladies Sunday School class, the Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Study, and the Homebound ministry, where she served until her health no longer permitted her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Willie Coston, Emmit Coston (Celia), sisters: Maude C. Tillman, Lena C. Johnson (Otis, Sr.), Irene C. Toussant (Ferdinand), Leona C. LeMay (Earl, Sr.), Thelma C. Kemp (Mike), Juanita Powell (Prince), Lela C. Landry (Paul, Jr.), and her twin Ethel C. Pickens (Lawrence), one sister-in-law Rose Coston. She leaves to cherish her memories, husband Willie R. Smith, four children: Willie M. Smith (Andrea), Karen S. Russell (Robert, Sr.), Kathy S. Tillman, and Myra Smith. Seven grandchildren: Robert Russell Jr. (Dana), Bryan Russell (Maggie), Krystal Pezzulo (Matthew), Heather Smith, Shane Russell (Lauren), Joseph Tillman (Lindsey), and Rachel Hill (Jamal). Thirteen great-grandchildren: Ayden, Kayla, Gracie, Marissa, Max, Alec, Jayce, Savannah, Austin, Judah, Lincoln, Reagan, and baby Titus due in February. A host of other nieces, nephews and friends, those she loved and called her Maw Maw: Chris and Audra George, Je’re Eaton and JeMya Brown. Special friends, Gwen Adams, Joy Green, and Jackie Washington from New Orleans, Louisiana. Fredrick Adams, Joseph K. Tillman, and Whittney Russell Jones.
We would like to thank Mallory and her team at Enhabit Hospice Care for their care of our mother during her illness and for treating and our family like we were their only clients.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at Farley Community Church (with Pastor Michael Hulsey officiating. Interment will be in Meadowlawn Garden of Peace.
The Smith family will receive guests 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022 at the Farley Community Church (
Public viewing will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022 and 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 9, 2022 at the Royal Funeral Home.
