Nellene Smith Kelly Fisher moved to her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 13, 2026. She was 95 years old.
Born the sixth of seven children on July 8, 1931, to Walt and Isabelle Smith in Sikes, Louisiana, Nell was the last surviving member of her generation in her family. This fact always astounded her!
The Smith family was well known in Winn Parish for their hard work and innovative farming techniques. Nell, one of two sisters, grew up gardening and canning, milking cows and tending to chickens, cooking and cleaning. She graduated from Sikes High School and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held beginning at 1 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s. A family burial will be held at Wright’s Cemetery in Sikes, Louisiana.
Her family was always the focus of Nell’s life and labor. She worked hard as a young mother to her three daughters by sewing all their clothes, cooking every day, and teaching them the value of a flourishing home. She embodied the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. Nell’s hands were never idle. She cared for her home, worked in her flower beds, and grew a vegetable garden every year. She preserved the fruits of her labor to feed her family through the year. Her flower gardens were a delight to all.
Nell loved the Lord Jesus Christ and used her gift of serving and hospitality in every church community she belonged to. Her faithful service at First Baptist Church of Ruston during her younger years included WMU Director, Chairman of Wednesday night suppers, and serving on the greeting team. When she moved to Monroe after her second marriage, she faithfully served as president of The Beacon’s, a senior adult ministry of Lakeshore Baptist Church, by planning and presenting monthly programs. She also made sure the church grounds were always groomed and flowers planted.
During her time in Ruston, Nell was also involved in civic activities including President of the Ruston Quota Club and chairman of the Quota Club Christmas Tour of Homes. She was involved in the Ruston Peach Festival activities and toured the state with the Peach Festival Queen in the years her husband served as chairman of the Ruston Peach Festival.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Lehman Fisher of Monroe who was her soul mate and gardening partner; her parents, Walt and Isabelle Smith of Sikes; five brothers and their spouses— Stacy and Lois Smith; Delmer and Annie Smith; Curtis and Louise Smith; Maxel and Ruby Smith; Jack and Virginia Smith; one sister and her husband, Dr. Lisso and Mrs. Nadine Simmons; the father of her children, Tom Kelly; one son-in-law, Jerry Dingler; and one grandson, Phillip Palmer.
She is survived by three daughters— Gwen Kelly Dingler of Ruston; Gaynell Kelly of Lake Wacamaw, North Carolina; Cammie Kelly Pyles [Johnny] of Crystal Springs, Mississippi.
Seven grandchildren— Kelly Dingler Arabie [Tre]; Julie Dingler Ramsey [Jered]; Jonathan Dingler [Cally]; Jessica Bowden; Whitney Kelly; Holly Pyles Bridges [Jay]; Danny Pyles [Jessica]; Eleven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons— Jonathan Dingler, Danny Pyles, Tre Arabie, Jay Bridges, John Arabie, and Luke Bridges.
We are so grateful for the loving care of the staff of The Arbor and Terrace Assisted Living that made her final years a joy! She was known for her sweet smile and always dancing when the music played. We are also grateful for the loving care of Premier Hospice and Amy Vance. A special thanks also to Jami Sonier, her longtime sitter, caregiver and adopted “granddaughter.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, 815 Olive Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71104.
“Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15
