Emma Joyce Smith Maxie

Services for Emma Joyce Smith Maxie will be at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 391 St. Paul Church Road, Natchez, LA. Rev. Edward Earl Johnson will be officiating. Vewing will begin at 10:00a.m. at the church.

Emma Joyce Smith Maxie was born December 10, 1959, in Bermuda, Louisiana, to the late Arthur Smith and Theresa Johnson Smith. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Victorian O’Brey Rachael, her maternal grandparents: Victoran Johnson and Elmer Scott Taylor, her paternal grandparents, Gus Smith and Emma Gordwin Smith, her brother, Levi Smith, and sister Earleane Smith Buckley. Emma was married to the late Reese Maxie.

Emma was baptized at an early age at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. P.M.Gillie in Natchez, Louisiana. She united with the Greater Golden Grove Baptist Church in Gramercy, Louisiana, when she relocated to south Louisiana, under the leadership of Rev. Ulysses Jarrow, Jr., and fellowshipped with the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Omega Smith, when she moved to Shreveport, Louisiana.

Emma was a devoted mother and dedicated her life to caring for her sons, daughters-in-law, and her grandchildren. She perfected the art of cooking, creating many delicious meals and ensuring there was always plenty of food to share. Emma was kind-hearted yet stern – her voice carried much weight and she had a swift right hand that everybody stayed out of the reach of. Emma was a devoted sister to her siblings. She enjoyed watching cartoons, drinking coffee, gardening, sitting on the porch, and was an avid reader.

Emma graduated from a Business College in Houston, Texas, and worked for many years in management at Evergreen Life Service and Walmart in Natchitoches, LA, until her health declined and she retired.

Emma was married to the late Walter Rachal, Sr., and from this union, two sons were born. She is survived by her sons – Walter Rachal, Jr., and wife Whitney and their children Jesean, Jahzaria, and Janiya of Houston, Texas, and her son, Brian O’Neal Smith and wife Brandi and their children Bra-Nya and Brian Jr. of Natchitoches, LA; and her Godson, Taryus Smith. She was instrumental in the rearing of Nichlos Isaac.

Emma is survived by two brothers, Rev. Edward Earl Johnson (Velma) of Robeline, LA, and Kenny Robinson of Natchitoches, LA; seven sisters Daisy Alexander of Houston, TX, Victorine Isaac, Eunice (Billy) Henry, Lizzie Phillips and Tammy Yvone Smith of Shreveport, LA, Joe Ann Smith of LaPlace, LA, and Gracie Beasley Vincent of DeRidder, LA.

She is survived by five aunts; Ethelean Conday (Anthony), Annie Green and Jeanie Johnson of Natchitoches, LA, Catherine Burton of Dallas, TX and Rosie Ann Dewberry of Houston, TX and two uncles; Elvin Shields (Betty) of Natchitoches, LA; Rev. Joseph Scott (Karen) of Sheppard, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (KJV)