CREATION A MULTIGENERATIONAL SMITH FAMILY

BY FRANCINE PIERRE

So, God created man in his own image. The image of God created he, him, male, and female. God blessed them and said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.

Raiford Smith was one of nine siblings born to Simon Smith and Martha Elinor Smith. Raiford Smith and his siblings were born in Foxworth, Mississippi.

Raiford later met and married Betsy Toney Smith. Their union consisted of eleven children and four half sisters from Raiford Smith. They all resided in Foxworth, Mississippi, which is just north of Columbia, Mississippi. It is also 20 miles north of Bogalusa, Louisiana.

Their children were Maggie (who died at the age of 13 years old), Hurvey, Lena Smith, Sophie, Melisa, Alice, Rena, Sam, Martha and Mary (twins), Joseph and Mattie (twins), Ernest, Willie Mae, Woodrow, and Hezekiah (who died at 8 months old).

Life in Foxworth consisted of farming, tending animals, and livestock. During the late twenties (1925-1934) after the great depression era, the Smith family descendants left the country roads of Mississippi, settling in Bogalusa, Louisiana and Brooklyn, New York.

During the early years in Bogalusa (1928- 1967) life was better economically. The Smith multigenerational family became the backbone of the generation. Relatives traveled, gathered in the "hub", Bogalusa, and enjoyed each other reminiscing about the past life they shared in the country.

This life brought iconic adventures and ways to make a living.