Paul Emerson Smith, 95, of Alexandria, Louisiana died Thursday, January 7, 2021, at Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines in Spring, Texas.

Born November 12, 1925 in Zanesville, Ohio.  He was the son of the late Dwight E. Smith and Florence (Offenbacher) Smith.  Paul was a graduate of Lash High School in Zanesville, Ohio.  After high school, he attended Anderson Aircraft School and then worked at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio.  Paul then served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force for eight years.  While in the Air Force, he attended Weather Forecasting School and became a weather observer.  Air Force duties brought him to Alexandria, Louisiana where he met Matalee in 1952.  Paul was a technician for the National Cash Register Corporation (NCR) for 38 years until retirement.  He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Alexandria and a member of the chancel choir for over 60 years and participated in the church's 50/50 Sunday school class, the bowling league and Joy Makers, a group that visited area nursing homes weekly to sing for residents.  Also was an avid golfer, enjoyed woodworking, and a supporter of LSU and the Saints.  Paul enjoyed traveling to see relatives in Ohio and visits with family at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  He greatly loved and enjoyed being with his family and friends when BBQ hamburgers and homemade ice cream were on the menu.

No services will be held at this time due to coronavirus.  Services will be scheduled through Kramer Funeral Homes, Alexandria at a later date.  He will be buried in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Pineville.

His wife of 68 years, Matalee Smith, passed away two days after his death.

Preceded in death were his parents; sister, Dorothy Prouty; grandson, Andrew Collins.

He is survived by daughters; Kathy Collins (Cameron) of The Woodlands, Texas and Carol Oman (Chris) of Monterey, California; grandson; Austin Collins (Fernanda) and great grandson, Lucas Collins of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Jean Crump; and many nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.

The family thanks the staff at Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines in Spring, Texas for caring for him during this past year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, 2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria, LA 71301.