W.T. Shumake & Daughters

LaFrance "Pete" Smith, 76, of Louisville transitioned to his Heavenly home on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Norton Audubon Hospital

Visitation 9am - 10am Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 1425 Bland Street. Funeral will follow at 10am.

LaFrance Smith was born September 22, 1946, in Lakeview, Arkansas, to the late Robert Williams and Ethel Mae Smith Braggs. When some of the family migrated to Louisville, Kentucky, from Arkansas, an invitation was extended to them to come to Louisville for better job opportunities and a better way of life. LaFrance accepted the invitation, and he and some of the family moved to Louisville to live with his aunt. He found employment detailing cars for Ford and Toyota Motor Companies.

On May 16,1998, he married Rebecca Slaughter. She was the love of his life. Together they united with Forest Tabernacle Baptist Church and served as their custodians. Later, they united with Greater St. Mark and faithfully worshipped there until their health began to fail.

“Pete”, as he was affectionately called by family and friends, especially enjoyed traveling back to Arkansas as well as Flint and Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois, to visit family and friends. In his spare time, he was always ready to show his skills with fishing, cooking catfish, playing cards, and cheering on the U of L basketball team.

He was one of the hardest working men in the history of hard-working men! Usually when he was seen out and about, Pete was walking very fast and repeated the phrase, "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go!" When asked where he was going, his usual reply was, "Gotta go to work, gotta go to work!" He may not have had time to explain where and what he was working on, but he definitely was not afraid of work! In this day and time, many employers would be thrilled to have a shift full of Peter Smiths! That trait of Peter’s was one of the many ways he was a blessing to those around him. If he wasn't in a hurry to work, he was on his way to visit cousins in Chicago, Flint, Detroit or many other cities where the family lived. Pete will be missed by everyone, especially by his cousins of the Cook Crew Connection!!!

LaFrance “Pete” Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Lee Slaughter Smith; mother, Ethel Mae Smith Braggs; father, Robert Williams; siblings, Cornelius (Dilly) Smith, Lee Thelma (Lucky) Smith, Calvin Smith, Dorbbie (Braggs) Terry, John Dexter (Peco) Braggs), Ida Williams, Minnie Lee Williams, Edward Williams; and his special aunt, Tessie Mae Cook.

On August 5, 2023, LaFrance “Pete” Smith departed this life. He is survived by his children, Terry Slaughter (Candy) and Desiree Slaughter; mother in-law, Versa Tucker; siblings, Carolyn Marie Smith, Lamar Braggs (Adrianne), Jerome Braggs (Ruth), Sherry Jean (Braggs) Davis, Hattie Braggs, Mack McKenzie Braggs (Jacqueline), Freddie Williams, Robert Earl Williams, and Willie Williams; special nephew, Frederick Braggs (Tammy); sister in-law, Vernetta Brown; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.