Obituary

Marl Wayne Smith

November 3, 1942 - March 3, 2022

Marl Wayne Smith, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away on March 3, 2022. 

Wayne was born to Marl Smith and Lena Windham Smith on November 3, 1942, in Bogalusa. He graduated from Poplarville High School in 1960 and later attended Pearl River Junior College. After graduating, he began working at the Daily News in Bogalusa as a linotype operator and was later promoted to production manager. In addition to being a loving father to his three children, he was a great music lover throughout his life. In his younger years, he played music with the popular local band American Empire. Later in life, his love for music led him to open the small business Music World and later the Pub Lounge. Although Wayne was always a quiet man, he was known for his sense of humor and kind heart. He loved animals and people alike and went out of his way to help those in need.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Sue Martin, Ronald Smith, and Jeffrey Smith. He is survived by his three children, Marla Smith Elsea of Denham Springs, Melanie Smith Todd of Covington, and Clayton Smith of New Orleans, as well as five grandchildren, Connor Elsea, Sean Elsea, Emma Elsea, McKenna Fussell, and Finn Todd. In addition to his biological family, he is survived by his “second family,” which consists of countless employees and friends who made a second home at his bar, as well as many friends among the members of the Rebel Riders Riding Club. 

Visitation will take place at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10th and will continue the following day beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00. Wayne requested to be cremated, with his ashes to be scattered at a later date by his family.