1977
Born in New Orleans
Born April 4, 1977 to Julius Charles III and Linda Ann Henry. The youngest of two daughters, affectionately called “Dee” — a girl who loved her stuffed animals and rode her bike all over the city.
A Celebration of Life — Deshonda Patrice Charles Smith
Honoring the remarkable life of
Attorney
Deshonda Patrice Charles Smith
April 4, 1977 — July 20, 2026
Wife
Friday, August 7, 2026
Order ofService
Rock of Ages Baptist Church
- Reverend Gilbert Scie
- Greater Little Zion Baptist Church
- Minister Edward Doley
- First Street United Methodist Church
- Reverend Dr. Martha Orphe
- Old Testament: Psalm 23 — Deacon Willie T. Grandison Jr.
- New Testament: John 3:11–16 — Kendon Smith Williams
- Robert Charles Hinton III
- Waymon Davis Jr.
- Minister Edward Doley
- From the Family — Tyrone J. Sigur Jr., Dale Bowers Jr.
- From a Lifelong Friend — Christiana Marion
- From her Houston Family — Kyle Pierce, Dr. Teriya Richmond
- From her Children — Camp AATTIA presentation
- Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale
- Valenetta Rainey
- Naydja Cojoe
- Reverend Gilbert Scie
- Greater Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church
- Visiting Ministers
- Dr. Takeisha C. Davis
- Shamarr Allen
Her story
A LifeWell Lived
As the youngest of two daughters, Deshonda was spoiled by her family and affectionately called “Dee.” She loved stuffed animals — sometimes refusing to sleep in her bed because it was occupied by her toys. And she loved her bike: handlebars backwards with white boots on, or riding all over the city with Val and Sharron.
1995
Eleanor McMain Secondary School
At McDonogh #15 a teacher dubbed her the “Next Supreme Court Justice.” At McMain her love of singing bloomed with Exclamation, performing at talent shows all across New Orleans.
1998
Loyola University New Orleans
Bachelor of Accountancy — full of ambition, and already building the friendships that would last her whole life.
2003
Tulane Law School
Juris Doctorate, and the beginning of a 20-plus year career. She passed the bar in four states — Louisiana, Connecticut, New York, and Texas — each on her first attempt.
2007
Camp AATTIA is born
“Achieving Awesome Things Through Inspired Actions.” For 18 years she hosted campers ages 8 to 16 for a week of fun-while-learning. Dee loved her camp kids, and they loved “Tee Dee” right back.
2011
D. Charles Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
A leap of faith into her own boutique firm — estate planning and probate, employment discrimination, family law, and civil litigation, fought for her clients with everything she had.
2019
She married the love of her life
On December 1, 2019 she married Joseph Smith. Together they saw Puerto Rico, Dubai, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, the Maldives, and the South of France — and reigned as the undisputed karaoke king and queen.
2023–24
Honored by her city
Named one of the 30 Most Influential Women of Houston in 2023, and one of the Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs in 2024 by d-mars.com. Past president of the Houston Lawyers Association.
“To know Deshonda — Attorney Charles, Dee, Tee Dee — was to love her. She loved her family and friends fiercely, never met a stranger, and had a spirit that lit up a room. She had a unique way of making everyone think they were her favorite cousin or best friend.”
She leaves to cherish her memory
- Husband
- Joseph Smith
- Father
- Julius Charles III
- Mother
- Linda H. Grandison (Willie)
- Father-in-law
- Joseph N. Smith Jr. (Barbara)
- Mother-in-law
- Marva Batiste Smith
- Sisters
- Dr. Takeisha C. Davis and Natasha Charles
- Step-sister
- Briana M. Alphonse (Jerome)
- Step-brother
- Willie T. Grandison Jr. (Dionne)
- Sisters-in-law
- Kendon Smith Williams (Edward) and Jasmine Smith
- Aunts
- Shelia Hall, Carolyn Bowers (Dale), Donna Pettifoot (Andrew), Pamela Sigur (Tyrone), Jean Henry, Gail Henry, and Shaun Charles
- Nephews
- Edward T. Williams V, Willie Grandison III, Waymon Davis Jr., Robert Hinton III, and Elie Haley
- Nieces
- Brionne Moss, Arionne B. Patterson (Jamal), and Jrue Smith
- Godparents
- Louis Riley, Diana Saraparu, and Curlette Lange
- Godchildren
- Earl Martin, Christian Llopis, Brooklyn Cox, Denim Segue, and Jaxx Davis
Along with a host of dedicated cousins, close friends, and colleagues.
Letters to Dee
Words ofLove
The Love of My Life
Patrice, the Light that you are shines at its brightest today! Your voice rings at its loudest today!
You are all that I could have dreamed of. Your love for us is confident; your passion for us is concrete. You made me a man — a man that hoped, a man that achieved, a man that believed.
Deshonda, you are my EVERYTHING. May your light continue to shine. And shine bright!
Forever loving you.
Your Husband, Joseph
Moments we keep
A Life inPictures
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From the family
ThankYou
We are blessed and deeply grateful for each expression of love and comfort you have given us at this time of transition. Your prayers, cards, comforting words, hugs, pats on the back, flowers, food, and other forms of sharing have truly touched our hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ, we thank and love you.
Active Pallbearers
- Rodney Woods Jr.
- Dale Bowers Jr.
- Tyrone Sigur Jr.
- Travis Sigur
- Kevin Henry Jr.
- Christian Llopis
- Earl Martin
Honorary Pallbearers
- Julius Charles III
- Willie T. Grandison Sr.
- Tyrone Sigur Sr.
- Andrew Pettifoot
- Dale Bowers Sr.
- Sean Knapper
- Brion Bowers
- Joseph N. Smith Jr.
- Edward Williams IV
- Willie T. Grandison Jr.
- Jerome Alphonse
- Jamal Patterson
- Louis Riley
- Irvin Henry III
- Waymon Davis Jr.
- Kyle Pierce
- Darryl Shorter
- Jack Richmond
- Chris White
- Earl Register
- Gavin Jackson
- Byron Thomas
- Corey Wilson
- Reji Farrar
- Todd Hudson Sr.
- Kirk Prevot
- Kenyada Jones
Funeral arrangements entrusted to
Professional Funeral Services
Providence Memorial Park and Mausoleum
Family & Friends Fellowship
Ashé Cultural Arts Center · 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd · New Orleans, LA 70113