Dollie Marie Smith Petrus

Dollie Petrus died on July 29, 2025, in Shreveport, La. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and prayers of her children and grandchildren. She was 94.

The funeral will be on Saturday, August 2nd at Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M., followed by the service. 

Born in Grant Parish, La., to Henry Clay Smith and Marie Brunson Smith, Dollie was the eldest of three girls. After high school, she attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Following graduation, she taught high school at Istrouma High in Baton Rouge before marrying Charles Petrus. 

The couple moved to Pennsylvania for Charles’ military duties and daughter Pamela Ann was born. They eventually returned to Monroe, where Mary Karen, Charles Clay and Amy August were born and raised. 

Dollie was passionate about books and reading and cuisine and entertaining. She participated in countless clubs and groups and had a special fondness for floral arranging and art. She and Charles hosted many gourmet meals at home and in Sitka, Alaska, where they entertained their friends later in life. She adored her church, Covenant Presbyterian, and volunteered there and for various other organizations in Monroe. One of her all-time favorite projects was teaching a chair aerobics class at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home- that brought her much joy. 

Dollie was witty and loved to laugh. She and friend Teetie Dixon went to great lengths to put on skits and plays, much to the delight of their friends. She kept this sense of humor throughout her life, an endearing trait. 

She was in awe of her children and grandchildren and celebrated each accomplishment and milestone with joy and gratitude. She was forever our cheerleader, and she loved us endlessly. 

Dollie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and her daughter, Pamela Ann. She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Joe) Williams of Arcadia; son, Clay (Sara) of Montgomery, TX; and daughter, Amy of Shreveport. Dollie is survived by her grandchildren, who affectionately called her ‘Mena’: Michelle Taylor of Monroe, Charlie Giglio of Shreveport, Melissa Langley of Shreveport, Sarah Petrus Hemmestad of Bryan, TX, and Ashley Petrus of College Station, TX; and great-grandchildren, Lily and Olivia Langley of Shreveport. Dollie is also survived by her best friend, Judy Worthen of Monroe.

Special thanks to Renee and Kelsey from St. Joseph Hospice in Shreveport, La. for their kindness and professionalism. We are so grateful. 

Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe or to Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentley or to any organization of your choice. 

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).