Obituary

Psalm 127:3 "Behold children are a heritage from the LORD, they are a reward from Him."

On September 29th, 1937, the late George and Viola Smith were blessed with their seventh daughter who they name Ursula Zinola Smith. She was the baby girl of the family of ten. Seven girls and 3 boys. 

Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6).

Ursula was educated in the Orleans Parish Schools and graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School, class of 1955. She attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and received a Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education/Social Work. After graduating from Southern she immediately started working at Carver High School as a Physical Education teacher and coach for the volleyball and track and field teams for over 10 years. On her classroom blackboard Ursula would write her name as U.S. Martin, still to this day some of her students called her United States Martin. Ursula was also employed as a volleyball and track and field coach for Carr Junior High and Phillip Junior High School. After leaving the school system she was employed as a Case Manager Social Worker for Mental Health services. 

Psalm 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." 

On April 19, 1964 Ursula married the late Leon Martin. Their union was blessed with two children; the late Earl Patterson Martin and Terrisita Martin Roby. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt. Being the "Last of the Mohicans" she took on the role of Aunt Ursula as an honorary mother to her many nieces and nephews. She raised her great nephew Alton "Manny" Heard like a son. As a hobby, she mastered the craft of sewing and monograming beautiful handkerchiefs for women, towels for men and blankets for the babies. This hobby became a ministry, "Glorified Handkerchiefs" by Ursula. It was a blessing for her and she blessed others. She often gifted Pastors, Preachers, First Ladies and Bereaved Families with her craft, engraved with their name. This Proverbs 31 woman touched the lives of many with her time, talent and resources.

"May the Work I've done Speak for Me"

Ursula confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Zion Hill Baptist Church. She later placed her membership at Pentecost Baptist Church. Ursula was not one of idleness, she served the Lord with gladness in the church and community. She served as a youth counselor for the Pentecost youth choir in 1974-1985. She was a faithful and dedicated Deaconess for many years, serving until her health began to fail. An Intercessory Prayer Warrior, her ministry was to call and pray for the sick, bereaved and downtrodden. She was an Encourager, Mentor, and Leader, active in the Women's Department, member of the Women of Purpose Committee and the Friends of Bev prayer group. Ursula was honored as "Deaconess of the member of the Year" on March 18, 1990 and rewarded as a "Good and Faithful Servant" for her outstanding work in the church. She received a Proclamation from the city as "Mother of the Year in 2002 and a Proclamation from the City Council for her dedicated service as a "Commissioner-in-Charge" for the Orleans Parish Poll Commission on December 18, 2008. She loved to talk about her involvement in the voters right movement while at Southern University in 1960, she always emphasized the importance of voting and encouraged others to register and vote. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven".

Ursula departed this life from Earth to Glory on April 10, 2024, she preceded in death by her parents; George and Viola Smith. Her siblings: Nettie Smith Henry, Ocola Smith, Ernest Smith, Olga Smith Dede, Leona Smith Brown, Huey Smith, Bernadine Smith Green, Earl Smith, Shirley Smith Davis. 
She leaves to cherish fond memories, her loving daughter: Terrisita Martin Roby; her grandchildren: Tiron Roby, Trihan Roby, Sr., Melisha Bowman, and Troyniesha Terrance. One granddaughter-in-law: Chandell Carter Roby; Great-grand children: Zoe Roby, Leah Roby, Trihan Roby, Jr., Payton Carter, and a butterfly is arriving real soon Calieigh Roby. A devoted nephew: Tyrone Smith and devoted niece: Chef Paula Charles, Godchild: Thirawer Duplessis, daugther-in-Christ: Myra J. Savoy and a countless number of brillant nephews, nieces, cousins, many friends and acquaintances.