Helen Carol Heyer Smith of New Orleans, LA, died unexpectedly on December 22, 2019. Carol was the beloved wife of Charles Rodney Smith, M.D. for fifty-seven years. She is survived by her children, Rodney Wilson Smith M.D. of Belmont, NC, Helen Smith Guidry (Jim) of Metairie, LA, Robert Wardlaw Orr, Jr. (Cathy) of Dothan, AL and daughter-in-law Elise Johnson Orr of Jefferson, LA. She was predeceased by her eldest son, Carl Robert Orr.
Carol was a loving grandmother, known as “Cici”, to seven grandchildren, Rodney Wilson Smith, Jr., Corinne Smith Hunt (Drew), Eugenie “Gigi” Heyer Smith, Ella Grace Smith, James Collin Guidry, Jr., Carol Frances Guidry and Caroline Hornsby Orr.
Born in Memphis, TN on December 10, 1929, Carol was the daughter of the late Carl Christopher Heyer of Sheboygan, WI and the late Helen Woelfert Heyer “Momo” of New York, NY. She grew up in Memphis, TN where she graduated from Hutchison School. She was presented as a debutante at the Cotton Club in Memphis.
Carol attended Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) and later received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. She completed post-graduate work at Memphis State University and at the New Orleans Academy of Art. She was an active member of the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, Stuart Clan, Audubon Garden Club and Audubon Investment Club.
Carol had a lifelong love of art and flower arranging that she openly shared with family and friends and provided special encouragement to her grandchildren. She was an accomplished artist and studied the Japanese art of floral arranging, earning a master designation from the Ikebana school. She served as an assistant director of the Iychio Board and arranged flowers for Trinity Episcopal Church, the Orleans Club, Longue Vue House and Gardens and the New Orleans Museum of Art. She was also a member of the New Orleans Art Association and the Louisiana Watercolor Society. Her artwork was shown in numerous exhibits including Poydras Home and Lambeth House and she donated original works to the WYES Art Auction.
Carol was very close to each of her children and grandchildren and played a very active role in their lives. She had a flair for gourmet cooking and entertaining and, above all, loved holiday gatherings with family and food! She was a kind and gracious lady who will be dearly missed for the genuine friendship and compassion she offered freely to all who knew her.
Only a few weeks ago, Carol celebrated her 90th birthday in grand style with a large dinner party for her entire family and offering comments and special memories to each of her grandchildren.
Carol was an active parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church all of her adult life.
A visitation will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church Chapel, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, 70130 on Friday December 27, 2019 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM followed by a funeral service. A reception following the funeral service will be held at Lambeth House, 150 Broadway Street, New Orleans, 70118, and all are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carol’s name can be made to Ikebana International, New Orleans Chapter #97, a non-profit organization, c/o Mr Richard Cranford, 3015 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70117, to Trinity Episcopal Church or to the charity of your choice.
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