This Saturday, October 5th, the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame will enshrine six new members, and give homage to the 2004 Male and Female Athlete of the Year from the three public high schools in Jackson Parish.

Also being recognized is the annual Meritorious Service Award winner.

This year’s recipient is Wilda Smith. 

Few, if any, have done more for Jackson Parish since the beginning of the new millennium. 

Although life’s journey led Wilda Smith away from Jackson Parish for a time, her return home in 2001 brought about her renewed appreciation of community. Her love of and dedication to Jackson Parish is evident in the many hats she dons daily.

She attends First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where she serves on many different committees. She served as secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Jonesboro Downtown Development but upon its dissolvement in 2005, she immediately stepped into the role of Director for the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce.

As Secretary and Treasurer for the Jackson Parish Museum Board and her positions on the Truancy Board, Jackson Parish Tourism, Jackson Parish Cancer Board, Jonesboro Hodge Lions Club Board, Secretary Jackson Parish Industrial District Board, and the Treasurer Jackson Parish Study Guild; Wilda knows the hard work involved behind the scenes in our community. Wilda also served on the State Commerce and Industry Board for 8 years and was appointed to serve on the State Public Defender Committee by the honorable Judge Jennifer Clason.

Her love of promoting Jackson Parish was enhanced upon being appointed to her position of Secretary for the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame. Each year Smith is mostly responsible for the success of the Sports Hall of Fame annual banquet.

This follows the path where serving as Director for the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce, Wilda is known for her tenacity and relentless promotion of Jackson Parish and all it has to offer.

Her dedication knows no bounds as she calls upon all available resources to make sure Jackson Parish is a place anyone would be proud to call home. No task is to small for this dedicated public servant, whether it be soliciting for hanging baskets to decorate Jimmie Davis Boulevard or picking weeds from the flowerbeds on a Saturday morning; all just for that special little touch.

In what spare time Wilda can find, she enjoys vacationing, gardening, and golf. Although she stays active in the community, faith and family are the greatest love of her life. She is most proud of her beautiful daughter, Michelle, her Son-in-Love, and their precious family. Wilda thrives on her family and treasures the time she spends with them.

Wilda is known for her loyalty, her commitment and dedication, her passionate personality, her fierce drive to honor the community, and her unyielding zest for life. She is a true matriarch of Jackson Parish.

In 2015, Smith received the Community Leadership Award from The Woman Life, and in 2022 a $500.00 donation to the Chamber of Commerce was given by Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in her honor. 

Congratulations to Wilda Smith for being the 2024 Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame Meritorious Service Award winner.