Helen Smart, Moncla

A Mass of Christian Burial for Helen Marie Brouillette Mathews Smart will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church with Rev. Rusty Rabalais and Rev. Victor Vead officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 18, 2021, and will resume on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM at the funeral home. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 18, 2021, with Rev. Paul LaPalme officiating.
We celebrate the life of Helen Marie Brouillette Mathews Smart in gratitude for what she gave to so many others as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, co-worker, and mostly, friend and witness of God’s love in this life. She lived through her generous heart and welcoming smile to make sure others knew they were loved and always well fed. Helen passed away on April 14th in the presence of members of her family. She was born in Moncla on October 19, 1926.
Helen was known by many names, mom, Meme, Mama D, Miss Helen, and Memaw. She had many roles in her life whereby she connected with people for a short time or became life-long friends. Regardless, even one encounter with Helen could change a life and always created a smile.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband Dawin Smart (Papa Dee) of 44 years. She is survived by one daughter and four sons: Larry Mathews (Brenda), Gary Mathews (Sammie), Linda Mathews Sanders (George), Randy Mathews (Susan) and Ricky Mathews (Karen) along with 25 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 29 years O'Hearn Mathews, son Brent Mathews, stepdaughter, Tina Smart; mother, Fredina Bordelon Brouillette and father, Isaac Brouillette.
She and Francis Doss were essential in her husband O’Hearn Mathews’ campaign for City Marshall and Commissioner of Streets and Parks
In 1964, Helen was president of the Menard High School Mothers Club where she organized a fundraiser for the Western Round Up at the school.
She and Margaret Gaspard were essential in running the Alexandria Teen Association at the CYO center on Texas Ave for over 5 years where they helped teens have a safe and fun place to grow up every Saturday night.
She was the Historical Preservation Planner for Kisatchie Regional Planning and Development District, Inc. for 14 years. She published several books detailing the historical significance of buildings and houses across the state during her tenure.
She was designated by the Louisiana Governor to represent Louisiana in the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission in Valley Forge on July 4, 1976.
Helen was a member of Court Notre Dame #1452, Catholic Daughters of the Americas at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church for 15 years.
She found joy in helping others and worked as a Pink Lady at Christus Cabrini Hospital for over 40 years. She was a proud member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church and loved helping people. She worked at Sears and Montgomery Ward’s catalog departments while raising 6 kids. After the kids were out of school, she worked at the “New Attitude” dress shop on Jackson Street. Helen loved her rosary and always had one with her. She would say it every day.
She loved to read, bowl, and would have a weekly card game with her dearest friends. She enjoyed time and daily conversations with Mable Vead, Virginia Martin, Louise Glatt, and Cathie Halloway.
In the last several months, Helen and Papa Dee set aside the noise and chaos of the world on TV to watch the beauty of life in nature of an eagle being hatched in his nest in Kisatchie Natural Forest on TV. She was worried that any day, the eaglet would fall out of the nest. She couldn't wait to see the eagle fly off with its parents.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be Brent Sanders, Brandi Mathews, Larry O’Hearn “Chip” Mathews, Casey Severin, David Mathews, and Adam Mathews.
Honorary pallbearers are Kari Lee Sisom, Chad Mathews, Lauren (Mathews) Thomas, Ashley (Mathews) Brinson, Jason Fuller, Jennifer Mathews, Samantha Mathews, Angel (Sanders) Doublet, Jim Mathews, Taylor Mathews, and Lanny and Robert “Boo” Maddox, and all others that mamma has touched.
Helen Smart was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who will be missed dearly by those who knew her, but her memory will live on through the love of family and the love of the Lord that they will carry on.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 420 21st Street, Alexandria, LA, 71301.

To extend online notes of condolence to the Smart Family, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.