Huey Long "Smitty" Smith

Huey Long Smith, “Smitty,” 78, of Lake Charles, passed away on Wednesday, July 20th, at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Born in the Mermentau Cove, the fourth son of Armond and Emma Sarver Smith, Huey moved to Lake Charles at age 6 with his family. He graduated from LaGrange High School and attended McNeese State College.

In 1965 Huey opened the first of a chain of Smitty’s Grocery & Meat Markets in Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, and Westlake, including one on Moeling Street which he owned for more than 40 years before retiring in 2012. The store is still open and serving the same Cajun sausage for which he is reknown.

Huey was an avid fisherman, woodworker, loved table games, container gardening, closely followed the sport of boxing and cheered on his favorite football teams, the Saints and Tigers.  Always up for a new adventure he took up flying at 55, building an ultra-light airplane in his backyard, and went para-sailing over the Pacific Ocean for his 72nd birthday. Those who know him can attest that his easy sense of humor was exceeded only by his kindness and generosity.

Huey is survived by his daughter, Debra Young Krizman (Rick Krizman) of Santa Monica, CA and brother, Hubert Pinckney Smith of Lake Charles, grandchildren Heather Carbone of Los Angeles, CA, Kristin Carbone of Boston, MA, and Claire Krizman of Santa Monica, CA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Three of his siblings, Ruby Evelyn Smith Robichaux, Renn Arvil Smith, and Donald Lee Smith have predeceased him.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 22nd, between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home and continue on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the start of the service. The funeral will begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 23rd, at Johnson Funeral Home, followed with burial at the Mimosa Pines Cemetery South.