March 28, 1958 – March 13, 2013

NEW ORLEANS — Memorial services for Brenda Joy Floyd-Smith, RN, BSN, BSCA, 54, of New Orleans, who died Wednesday, March 13, 2013, were at noon Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans with the Rev. Dr. Charles Floyd, the Rev. Dr. Helen W. Tester and the Very Rev. M.L. Agnew Jr. officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Neptune Society New Orleans.

Ms. Floyd-Smith was a resident of New Orleans for the past 32 years. She had a bachelor of science in nursing, was a licensed registered nurse and worked most of her professional life caring for critically ill patients in Ochsner’s ICU at the main campus.

Wanting to further develop a long-held interest in cooking, Ms. Floyd-Smith also received a bachelor of science in culinary arts from the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute. She was blessed with varied interests and talents, enjoying photography and culinary explorations, and was an avid runner, participating annually in the Crescent City Classic and numerous other races. People often were struck with her tranquility, smile, curiosity, and multi-faceted talents. She was not only a wife but also her husband’s best friend.

An elegant and charming person, she was a role model to new and experienced nurses, culinary colleagues and a number of others she encountered who, like her, were enduring similar battles with breast cancer. She brought joy to people through her presence and charm, and her ability to help others was always visible – whether in the Intensive Care Unit, the culinary school’s kitchen or cancer support groups.

She was the beloved wife of Gary Michael Smith for 23 years and the loving daughter of John Sam and Joan Delaughter Floyd. She was the sister of John Floyd and Joan Wheat, all of Natchez; and nieces and nephews, John, T.J., Amy and Anna Alyssa Floyd and Katie Wheat.

The family expresses their gratitude to the medical staff at the Tom and Gail Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner’s Medical Center, as well as River Region Hospice House in River Ridge, La.

Donations may be made to the Cancer Center at Ochsner’s main campus or the hospice that took such wonderful care of her during her last week.