Nita Lee Smith Guice, 83, passed away on Oct. 16, 2016, at her home in Lake Charles, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Lake Charles, La. on July 11, 1933, Mrs. Guice graduated from Sacred Heart High School and matriculated at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. where she received an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she returned to Lake Charles, married Melvin Louis Guice and started a family. Mrs. Guice taught in the Calcasieu Parish School system for over 30 years, retiring as Head Librarian at Iowa High School. While teaching, she earned a Master''s Degree plus 30 at McNeese State University. Following her retirement, she returned to the classroom and taught second grade at her alma mater, Sacred Heart School.

She leaves to honor her memory her four children, Cynthia Lavergne of Decatur, Ga., Keith Guice (Dorsey) of Ragley, La., Craig Guice and Kathryn Guice, both of Lake Charles; her six grandchildren, Brandon Guice (Nishae), Jeremy Guice (Kendria), Keri Guice (Chaqualla) and Kierra Guice, all of Lake Charles, LaJwanne Louis (DeWayne) of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Shawnquenetta Hearn (Lewis) of Decatur, Ga.; nine great-grandchildren; aunt, Audrey Nell Jackson (Andrew) of Houston, Tx.; nieces and nephews, their spouses, children and grandchildren.

An only child, Mrs. Guice was predeceased by her father, Henry Barkay and mother, Elmer Davis.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: Oct. 21, 2016

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Mausoleum. Visitation will be held at Combre Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 from 7 - 8:15 a.m. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated will conduct an Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony from 8:15 - 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue from 9 - 9:45 a.m.