Lou Ann Smith

Our loving mother, Lou Ann Smith (Sousa), left this earth on Friday, June 2nd 2023, after a brief period of hospitalization and hospice care. She fought valiantly until it was time for the Lord to call her home.

She was born in Ann Arbor MI on November 16, 1940, to Walter and Eileen Sousa (Hoppe).  Lou Ann married the love of her life, James Smith, and they recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Jim was a loving, faithful husband who adored her.

Lou Ann felt very strongly of her Lutheran faith and raised her children in that manner.

She enjoyed her role as group leader in Lutheran Girl Pioneers. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms as room mother.  She helped to support her family by selling cakes that she baked and hand decorated, sold “Beeline” line of women’s clothing, worked at Hughes and Hatcher and Hudsons stores, at Burger King, and the kitchen at Plymouth Public Schools. Her last place of employment was Lutheran High School Westland as head manager and cook. She had 11 years there until her retirement in 2002.

She was famous for her spaghetti as cooking was a favorite hobby. She sewed dresses for herself and her girls when they were young. She was an avid thrift store shopper and she thoroughly enjoyed her weekly breakfast dates with girlfriends from high school. Her favorite pastime was relaxing in her comfortable chair, drinking coffee, and talking on the phone.  She was always kind to her friends and neighbors and they loved her in return. Her door was always open for a good cup of coffee and a chat. The largest part of her heart was saved for her family whom she loved fiercely. Her warm and sweet smile will be missed tremendously.

Lou Ann is predeceased by her parents, Walter and Eileen Sousa (Hoppe), and her sister, Patricia Kay Jones.

She is survived by her husband, James H Smith. Children, Karen Canty (Thomas), Julie Haight (Mark), Denise Smith, Michael Smith, Matthew Smith (Kristina).  Her grandchildren, Joshua Haight (Emily), Jessica Paskiewicz (Lucas), James Canty, Joseph Canty, Mark Smith, Nathan Smith, Samantha Smith, Anthony Smith, Thomas Smith, Logan Smith, and 4 great grandchildren.  Lou Ann is also survived by her sisters Jo Ellen Sousa and Jean Marie Wellman and several loving nieces, nephews and many other family members.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Tuesday, June 6, from 2p to 8p. 

Her Funeral Service will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5885 North Venoy Road, Westland, Michigan, at 11a.  Visitation at the church will be from 10:30a until the start of the service at 11a.