Katherine Joyce O'Brien

“Katherine Joyce Smith O'Brien, age 72, of Woodstock, Alabama passed away on Saturday September 7, 2019. Katherine was born January 3, 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. Kathy was the oldest of 4 children born to Charles Edwin Smith and Janet Isabell Marshall. In her younger years she attended Sandusky, and later graduated from Minor High School. After that, she graduated from nursing school in Birmingham as an RN, working first at Carraway Hospital, then continuing her nursing career in Las Vegas, NV. Part of that career was working in the intensive care section. Kathy was an artist; she wrote a number of poems, some of which were published, and she was a devout Christian. After nursing, she spent a while in modeling, where she worked for Lance Studios in Las Vegas. She touched many people in her life, many of whom were her patients. Her dedication to their care was exceptional. As a nurse, she became affectionately known as Kayce. Kathy was also one of the friendliest women you could ever hope to meet. Kathy could strike up a conversation with almost anyone, as if she had been your best friend for years. She will be greatly missed not only by family, but by all those who knew her, or just happened to be lucky enough to speak with her. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, the late Aaron Jewel O'Brien, parents, Charles and Janet; sister, Donna M. Smith; stepdaughter, Caryn Clayton, as well as a host of family and friends. Left behind to cherish her memory are her sister, Charlotte Dunn (Tom); brother Charles Smith (MH); nephew Gordon Smith and niece Elizabeth Smith Donnell (Eric), and a step-son, Mack Clayton. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.rockcofuneralmontevallo.com for the O'Brien family.