Mark Gene Austin Smith

Mark Gene Austin Smith, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at North Oaks Medical Center at the age of 33. He was born on November 7, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida.

Mark was first and foremost an amazing father and loving husband. He married his high school sweetheart, Kerri, in 2007. Together they had 5 wonderful children together. Although never a lover of sports, he did love practicing with and watching his boys play baseball. His girls were his heart and he was fiercely protective of them. Mark loved the gym and was devoted to working out. Most importantly, Mark was a lover of God through and through.

Mark is survived by his wife, Kerri Lee Hiltibidal; five children, Abigail, Emma, Jachin, Peyton, and Kennedi; father, Carter Stewart (Connie); father and mother-in-law, Kenny Hiltibidal, Sr. (Terri); sister, Jennifer Abelseth (Josh); step-bothers, Marek and Mason Little;  grandfather, Joseph Bravata; step-grandmother, Bonnie Stewart; aunts, Stacy Perrin (Jason), Pamela Cox (Wayne), Mary McKnight (Gary), Helen Delores Perry (Jesse), Annette Stewart (Kelby), and Ginger Corey; uncle, Dallas Stewart, Sr. (Christy); nieces, Alyssa and Lilli Abelseth; nephews, Noah and Cayden Abelseth; and numerous cousins and great-cousins.

He was preceded in death by grandmother, Sue Bravata; grandfather, Carter Norwood Stewart, Sr; mother, Rita Corey; brother-in-law, Kenny Hiltibidal, Jr; and cousin Dallas “DJ” Stewart, Jr.

Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St. Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 5:00 pm until the memorial service begins at 7:00 pm.

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.