Janie Smith Birch, 88 years old, was called to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She entered this world on September 12, 1937, born to Arneter and Allen Smith, in St. Helena, LA.

Janie was the baby of six children born to hard working dairy farmers. She assumed the great responsibility of operations on the largest dairy farm in the area with her mother after the passing of her father. Janie would trek across pastures before sunrise every day, even on school days, to collect their dairy cows for the morning milking, and repeated the process each evening as well.

Gerald "Buddy" Birch found her to be his perfect match as a natural beauty with a strong work ethic and devotion to the Lord, and they were married when she was 21 years old. She worked as his partner in life, no matter the job at hand, in the garden, on the tractor, in a catch pen, or with a home repair. Her love and devotion to her husband was unwavering and her favorite place to be was in his presence no matter the situation. Together they raised three children and miraculously stretched one income to provide them with every opportunity possible.

Grandchildren came later, and then great-grandchildren, all with whom she treasured her time. Grandchildren were especially fun for her as she taught them many games and activities she enjoyed growing up in the 1940's.

She was a loving homemaker, talented baker, and knowledgeable seamstress. She carried an air of elegance, refinement and composure, even when her hands were muddied with hard work. Her days always began with a cup of coffee and the reading of God's word. She valued passing on stories and traditions, and found worth in sharing lessons of both hardship and joy with those that she loved. She was ever loyal to her family, loving each member unconditionally until the end. Her faith in the Lord was strong and steady, even through the heartbreak of losing her husband to cancer. Though she had faith that they would meet again in heaven, she mourned the loss of him deeply.

Her physical burden may have been great in her last years on earth, but she never lost her faith and hope in spending eternity in heaven with her heavenly Father and loved ones. It is this same faith and hope in our Savior that sustains our own broken hearts as we grieve her absence, but we find peace in knowing that she is now in the perfect presence of God.

Janie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Baxter and Bonnie Birch, Carmen and Jeff Beasley, and Kyle and Belinda Birch; grandchildren, Amanda and Dr. Scott Witte, Courtney And Gregory Zito, Ashley and Vince Golden, and Brooke and Alex Stewart, and Austin and Cheyanne Birch; great-grandchildren, Lyla Witte and Camilla Witte, and Cooper Zito; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Janie is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Norman "Buddy" Birch; father, Allen Quillan Smith; mother, Arneter Aurelia Frazier Smith; brothers, James Smith, Roy Smith, and Joe Smith; sisters, Wilma McDaniel and Willie Lemener "Coot" Chapman.

Serving as pallbearers will be Austin Birch, Dr. Scott Witte, Gregory Zito, Vince Golden, Jeff Birch, and Justin Fitzgerald. Honorary pallbearer will be Jerry Watson.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Rd., on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12:00 PM until the Funeral Service at 2:00 PM, officiated by Reverend Amy Castro. The graveside service and burial will follow at Blackwater United Methodist Church Cemetery, in Baker, Louisiana.