Essie Mae DeWeese Smith passed peacefully in her home to be with her loving Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 15, 2023. Essie was deeply loved by her better-half, her beloved husband of 38 years, Johnthreesixteen Smith. Essie's legacy will live on in her children: Leland P. Bennett and his wife Tina G. Bennett and Evelyn B. Roper and her husband William S. Roper; her grandchildren: Rebecca Lyn Dickson and husband Daniel Deen Dickson III, Matthew Lee Bennett and wife Rose Esther Bennett, Shelby DeWeese Roper, Brian DeWeese Bennett, and John Paul Bennett; and her great-grandchildren: Daniel Deen Dickson IV, Thomas DeWeese Dickson, Benjamin Leland Dickson, EssieKate Dickson, Amelia Grace Dickson, Sadie Lyn Dickson, and Norah Jane Dickson.
Essie Mae was born to Herman "Pops" Gerald DeWeese and Gertrude "Mommie" King DeWeese in New Orleans on March 28, 1943, and was raised in Westwego, LA. She is the sister of Lillian Love Boudreaux, the late Geraldine Foret, and the late Helen Levy. Essie was preceded in death by her former husband, Leland P. Bennett, father of Leland and Evelyn. She dearly loved her many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Essie gave her life to her Lord Jesus as a teenager at a Billy Graham Crusade. In her early thirties, to answer a call God laid on her heart, she opened the Gospel Book Store in Marrero, LA, in August 1975. The Gospel Book Store continues to equip and serve believers and spread the Gospel from its present location in Gretna, LA. Essie faithfully ministered, served in church and gave to various mission works alongside her husband, Johnthreesixteen. Essie was an active Auxiliary Member of the New Orleans South Camp of The Gideons International. She was a blessing to her family, church, and community until her last day. Essie Mae DeWeese Smith lived out in full, her life’s deepest aspiration written in Acts 20:24 “ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Celebration of Essie Mae DeWeese Smith's Life and Legacy
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
Location: Cornerstone Christian Center
6550 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072
11:00-12:00 Family and Friends Visitation
12:00-1:30 Celebration of Life and Legacy and Homegoing Service
1:30 Procession to Westlawn Memorial Park:
1225 Whitney Ave. Terrytown, LA 70056
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to The Gideons International Faith Fund: Gideons.org/donate
MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family during this difficult time. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com.