Changes

Smith died in a [[Shreveport]] hospital of complictions from a lung infection. He was just over a month shy of his 85th birthday.<ref name=ghilburn/> His services were held on April 29, 2018, at the Arcadia Events Center.

Smith died in a [[Shreveport]] hospital of complictions from a lung infection. He was just over a month shy of his 85th birthday.<ref name=ghilburn/> His services were held on April 29, 2018, at the Arcadia Events Center.

State Representative Patrick Jefferson, an [[African-American]] Democrat, was hired by Smith as the first black attorney for the town after Jefferson fled [[New Orleans]] for Arcadia during [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Jefferson recalled that "Everybody knew Eugene Smith. He had the kind of personality that made you think he'll be around forever. He mastered the art of being a public service. His death leaves a huge void."<ref name=ghilburn>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/04/23/arcadia-mayor-eugene-smith-gravely-ill/543249002/|title=Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith dies|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=April 23, 2018|accessdate=April 28, 2018}}</ref>

State Representative Patrick Jefferson, an [[African-American]] Democrat, was hired by Smith as the first black attorney for the town after Jefferson fled [[New Orleans]] for Arcadia during [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Jefferson recalled that "Everybody knew Eugene Smith. He had the kind of personality that made you think he'll be around forever. He mastered the art of being a public service. His death leaves a huge void."<ref name=ghilburn>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/04/23/arcadia-mayor-eugene-smith-gravely-ill/543249002/|title=Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith dies|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star]]''|date=April 23, 2018|accessdate=April 28, 2018}}</ref>

Governor [[John Bel Edwards]] called Smith "an exceptional leader who proudly served all of the people of Arcadia and the neighboring communities with compassion and a true concern for improving their lives. Donna and I send our condolences to Billie, his wife of sixty-four years. Together, they were a formidable team. ... Eugene not only served as mayor for [nearly] sixteen years, but he was also part of the executive board of the Louisiana Municipal Association. He worked hard every day to make Arcadia and other Louisiana communities economically viable, great places to live, work and raise families."<ref name=ghilburn/>

Governor [[John Bel Edwards]] called Smith "an exceptional leader who proudly served all of the people of Arcadia and the neighboring communities with compassion and a true concern for improving their lives. Donna and I send our condolences to Billie, his wife of sixty-four years. Together, they were a formidable team. ... Eugene not only served as mayor for [nearly] sixteen years, but he was also part of the executive board of the Louisiana Municipal Association. He worked hard every day to make Arcadia and other Louisiana communities economically viable, great places to live, work and raise families."<ref name=ghilburn/>