Bera Joiner Smith

Breaux Bridge - A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm, on Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel in Breaux Bridge, for Bera Joiner Smith, 91, who passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014, at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge, LA. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, beginning at 10 am until 1:45 pm, on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Bera loved working with flowers and competed in various floral arrangement competitions. She was a Louisiana Landscape Design Critic and was a member of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation (past president), Lafayette Garden Club (past president), National Council of State Garden Clubs, Hibiscus Society, Louisiana Society for Horticultural Research, Society of Louisiana Irises, American Iris Society, Live Oak Society, and Ikebana International. She was privileged to have been a judge for the Cleanest City competitions for numerous years, while also serving as chairman, and has a key to every city in Louisiana. In addition to her passion for gardening and floral arranging, she also loved doing needlework and smocking. She is survived by her son, Billie Leon Giddens and wife, Karen; her daughter, Deborah Ann Smith Nordyke and husband, Tom; her daughter-in-law, Glenda Giddens; her sister, Ann Joiner Mitchell; five grandchildren, Patrick Giddens and wife, Rona, Carrol Giddens, James Lewis Spencer, II and wife, Tammy, Jessica Giddens, and Sarah Giddens; five great grandchildren, William Giddens, James Lewis Spencer, III, Faith Spencer, David Wayne Giddens, and Dana Giddens; and her godchild, Barbara Manders. She is preceded in death by her husband, Burton Smith; two sons, Richard and Mark Giddens; her daughter, Dorothy Sue King; her parents, Ben and Ora Hammond Joiner; two brothers, John and Burt Joiner; two sisters, Dorothy Joiner and Bobbie Joiner; and three grandchildren, David, Gary and Kristy Giddens. Beras family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to David Mancella (Ocshner Hospital 2nd floor Telemetry) and Clairty Hospice, for the compassionate care given to her during her time of need. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Clarity Hospice, 9191 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, Louisiana 70517, (337-332-2199) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com