Lafayette - Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Philadelphia Christian Church for Farrelle “Syrus” James Smith, 56, who died on Thursday, December 28, 2023, in Lafayette, LA.
Services will be conducted by Minister Sam Moore of Philadelphia Christian Church of Lafayette, LA.
A man of strength and of few words, Farrelle James Smith, was an unforgettable force. He was born on July 17, 1967, in Lafayette, LA to his parents, John L. Smith, Sr. and Geraldine Jane Gobert Smith of Lafayette, LA. His reputation preceded him as he naturally embodied what resilience, perseverance, and dedication looked like. He was a hard-worker and maintained a level of comfort to those around him. He exuded charismatic energies through his never-ending ability to captivate the likes of people wherever he went. He made sure his wife and kids had whatever they needed and believed in putting his family first. His motivation was making sure his kids had more than he ever did growing up. Though he understood what sacrifice looked like as he memorably expounded on his upbringing and personal stance on the values and practices he was taught by his late father and mother and through the never-ending love and support he constantly received from his siblings.
In his early years, Farrelle attended Northside High School where he participated in sports activities such as Football, Wrestling and Track and Field. Later, he got married and had four kids. He always loved to partake in activities that connected him with his childhood and life-long friends and the experiences that brought him closer to the aunts and uncles whom he’d grown to admire. Farrelle loved catering (his passion) for special events, dancing and swinging out with his loved ones, fishing, watching the football games and practicing the new recipes he’d learn from many television programs like the food network. Everyone was welcomed into his home. He would never deny anyone a plate of good cooking because he knew it was all prepared with love.
When Farrelle would get out into the community, he would later elaborate on the lasting impressions and memories he’d created as the times went by. He would express himself through storytelling, passing along recipes to his kids, little cousins, and nephews, and belting even the smallest jokes that took everyone out of this world. Farrelle chose to live vicariously through his kids because he wanted to understand their desires, their interests and, most importantly, he wanted to grow with the times to proclaim the reigning of his descendants.
"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”
– Maya Angelou
Farrelle was a great friend and confidant to many. He never forged or waivered his responsibility to provide and care for his family—near or far. He was a music lover who found peace and strength in words that covered a plethora of feelings he sometimes could not verbally express. However, those closest to him would know that through the rhythm, theme, and song choices, his feelings were real in those moments to be cherished most.
For many years of his life, Farrelle worked offshore for over 25 years as a Filtration Engineer and Completion Fluids Engineer for several companies like Baroid and ended his career as a contractor for Gordon Reed & Associates in 2022. He believed that being a hard-worker and maintaining familial responsibilities would carry far more weight than resting in selfishness. He was a giver, a nurturer (even when he didn’t say much), and a motivational figure to those who trusted his words and who witnessed his dedication to his career. He was loved by many!
“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.”
– Hebrew Proverb
Farrelle’s memories will forever live on in the hearts and lives of his family; his wife of 36 years, Shonamaria Smith of Carencro, LA, later Houston, Texas; his four children: Breiney Francis, Jamion (Shelly) Smith, Devonte’ Smith and Farahde’ Smith of Lafayette, LA; his nine grandchildren: O’mari, Kyra, Kennedy, Ka’Juan, Bailey, Briley, Ma‘Kya, Kash, and Blaire; his mother-in-law, Catherine Francis-Paddio of Carencro, LA; his siblings, Hattie (Kevin) Chevalier, John Lee (Roslyn) Smith, Jr., and Wyatt (Erica) Smith of Lafayette, LA; sister-in-law, Allison (Curtis) Francis Prince; David (Sharon) Woods, Sr.; godchildren: Trinity Gobert, Justin Jones of Dallas TX. and Calen (Chalisa) Angelle of San Diego. CA; his aunts: Barbara Gobert, Anna Arceneaux, Beverly George, Mary L. Gobert, Mary Smith, Verna Mae Broussard, and Diane Smith; his uncle, Alton (Theresa) Gobert, Sr.; and a host of cousins, friends, and colleagues of many years.
Farrelle was preceded in death by his parents, John Lee Smith, Sr. and Geraldine Jane Gobert Smith; his maternal grandparents, Hilda Arceneaux Gobert and Stanley Gobert; godmother, Deloris Smith Matthews; his uncles and aunts, brother-in-law, and a host of many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who have and will forever hold a monumental portion of his lineage.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Philadelphia Christian Church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.