NEWELLTON — Marguerite Smith Burnside, 96, of Newellton died Sunday at her home. She was born Sept. 4, 1913, in St. Joseph and lived in Newellton all her life. She was the daughter of Stephen and Ellen Smith. She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.  

She is survived by her husband, Frank Burnside, whom she was married to for 73 years; two children, Karen Barnett and husband Glenn of Jackson, Tenn., and Frank Jr. and wife Jan of Newellton. Five grandchildren also survive her: Walker Barnett (Lisa) of Houston, Texas, Marshall Barnett (Arden) of New Orleans, Kate Barnett of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Berry Burnside Trascher (Rad) of Baton Rouge and Frank Robinson Burnside III of Newellton. Also four great-grandchildren survive her, as well as lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Mrs. Virginia Burnside.

Marguerite graduated in the first graduating class of Northeast Louisiana University, known at that time as Northeast Center. She taught school in Newellton for several years.

Marguerite was an avid gardener, a lifelong member of the Newellton Garden Club and was instrumental in publishing the first Newellton Garden Club Cookbook in 1949. It is still available today.

She was an active member of the Newellton Union Church, where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years, was a member of the choir and helped begin the annual Bazaar that took place every fall. She and Frank traveled extensively abroad as well as in the United States.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Newellton Legion Memorial Cemetery.

The family wishes to especially thank the caregivers, Mary Helen Garner, Yvonne Moses, Carla Bailey and Edna Bryant.

Memorials may be made to the Newellton Union Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.