Sydna Fern Norton Smith, 71, of Beaumont, died, Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital-Beaumont. A native of Forney, Texas, and a resident of Beaumont since 1994, she was one of two children born to the late Morris and Floy Norton. Sydna was the beloved wife of Albert Louis Smith for over nine years and was dedicated to First Baptist Church in Beaumont, since 1994. She loved watching Amtrak trains pass by, collecting crosses, and studying and memorizing scriptures for her church. Sydna touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity, and maintained her trademark with signing “I love you,” smiling all the way to the end.
Sydna will forever be remembered by her sister, Suzanne Ruth Bean of Temple; beloved children, William Norton Hebert of Walnut Creek, California, Albertine Louise Smith of San Diego, California, Josephine Fern McGee of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Albert Louis Smith, Jr. of Olivehurst, California; treasured granddaughters, Rebecca Suzanne Hebert and Megan Noelle McGee; caring in-laws, John McGee of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Laura Harvey of San Diego, California; along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Louis Smith.
Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Deaf Chapel, 900 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with a gathering of family and friends to begin at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Smith Cemetery in Starks, Louisiana, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, in care of the Deaf Ministry, 900 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
