Barbara Cooper Gathright

Barbara Cooper Gathright died peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, with her daughter by her side. She was the widow of Dr. J. Byron Gathright, Jr., and leaves behind her four children, John, Lin, Miles and Peter, as well as six grandchildren, Avery, Lila, Ethan, Ian, Reece, and Heidi.

Barbara was born just outside of Charleston, South Carolina and graduated from The Medical University of South Carolina in nursing. After starting her career in Charleston, she moved to San Francisco for a few years before coming to New Orleans to work at Charity Hospital. She met Byron at a Christmas party there and they married in September of 1959. They lived in the French Quarter for years, soaking up the rich culture of the city. Barbara continued to work as a nurse until their first child was born, she then dedicated herself to raising her family.

Barbara was passionate and creative, always learning and exploring, be it cooking an authentic Peking duck, learning French, making paperweights with seashells and dried flowers, finding one more amazing kaleidoscope, or traveling the world with Byron! She loved the beauty in nature, collecting seashells and birding were two of her favorite hobbies and she loved to share them with her children and grandchildren.

Barbara loved New Orleans and was especially fond of her wonderful home and garden on Audubon Park. Her favorite place was on her front porch. She was an avid and knowledgeable gardener who always attracted a great variety of birds and butterflies to her garden.

Barbara had an effortless beauty and unique style. She was loving, kind, and generous to family and longtime friends as well as someone she might meet while sitting on her front porch. She was very loved and she will be very missed.

The family is planning a celebration of her life in the near future.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com