Ruford Hayes Smith (1896 - 1965)

Born 11 Oct 1896 in Turps, Beauregard, Louisiana, United States

Husband of Lilly Louise (Magness) Smith — married 21 May 1921 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana, United States

Descendants

Died 21 Aug 1965 at age 68 in Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States

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Biography

Ruford was born in 1896. He passed away in 1965.

Ruford (or Grandpere as I and his other grandchildren called him) served in the U.S. Army during WWI. During the time that he was at Camp Beauregard in Rapides Parish, La., he spent 3 weeks with measles. I don't think that he ever saw any overseas action during the War.

He was employed in Lake Charles, La. by Krause & Managan, Inc., a building material business. He started by driving wagonloads of logs that were pulled by oxen and he had to cross a river 3 times to get the logs to Lake Charles. Later he was transferred from Lake Charles to Lafayette in 1936 to become the Manager of the Krause & Managan store there. He remained in Lafayette for the rest of his life.

At some point, he apparently left Krause & Managan because in 1939 he was listed as Secretary of Mouton Lumber Company, which he purchased in 1945 but retained the same name and remained in the same location in Lafayette.

During WWII both of his sons served in the U.S. military, one in the Army and one in the Navy. He was active in many civic organizations serving on the Rationing Board (appointed to the Tire Rationing Board by Gov. Sam Jones), was Director of the La. Motor Club, was Red Cross Chairman in 1942, was a member of the Lafayette Building Code committee in 1941, Executive Secretary of the Lafayette Lions Club, vice-chairman of Lafayette Airport Commission, Director of La. Council of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry, President of Lafayette Rotary Club, Executive secretary of Lafayette Lions Club, Committee Chairman of First Baptist Church building committee, Member of Playground and Park Commission, Member and Officer of the Masons and Eastern Star, and President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

He and his family resided in a large 2 story home at 816 Lafayette St. It is now the location of a parking lot for the Federal Building.

Sources

• Birth: Bible Record of Melissa D. And James Haring Smith (in 1982 was in possession of granddaughter Maxie Jackson Williams, Port Arthur, Tx.)

• Death: Death Certificate - State of Louisiana, State File No. 15-825

• Marriage: State of Louisiana, Parish of Calcasieu, Marriage License: No. 128, Date of Issue of License: 5/17/21; Date of Marriage: 5/21/21; Date of Return of License: 5/21/21

• Burial: Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery - Find-A-Grave website: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14810603/ruford-hayes-smith