JoAnn Smith Knight

JoAnn Smith Knight, 84, of Gautier, Mississippi and formally of Kolin, Louisiana passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 after a prolonged, courageous battle with cancer. 

JoAnn was born on October 16th, 1941 in Jena, Louisiana.  She graduated from Tioga High School and then went on to earn her nursing degree from Louisiana State University-Alexandria.  She loved taking care of others as a nurse.  She worked in many different settings to include St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Pinecrest State Hospital, Central LA Home Health, Mid-State Home Health, Angels of Mercy Home Health, and Angel Lovin Care.  She treated all of her patients as a part of her family and often went out of her way to go above and beyond to help those in need.  She most enjoyed spending time with her family.  She adored her brothers, David and Bud, and as a teenager, she and Bud would dance together on roller skates at the skating rink in Fishville, Louisiana. 

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Joe David and Perlia Mullins Smith, her brothers, David Charles and Lester “Bud” Smith, as well as her grandson Kody Ponthieux.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons Robin and wife Geneva Ponthieux of Marksville, Louisiana, Alan Ponthieux and partner Charmaine of Nederland Texas, daughter Rita and husband Tom Walker of Gautier, Mississippi as well as her grandchildren, Dana Smith, Daniel Parker, Jillian Walker, and Ashlee Walko.

A graveside service will be held at 1 pm, Monday, January 12, 2026, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ball, Louisiana.

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