She graduated from high school and junior college in Texarkana and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in New Orleans through Tulane University and Touro Infirmary School of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Touro Infirmary, United States Public Health Service Hospital, and in private industrial medicine. She was a homemaker and volunteer after she retired from nursing.
Margaret grew up in the Baptist faith and after moving to New Orleans to train as a nurse, she attended First Baptist Church New Orleans. She loved classical music and opera, especially Wagner’s Ring. Margaret was well-read and enjoyed sewing, gardening, and traveling abroad.
She was preceded in death by two spouses, Raymond F. Smith and Robert L. Levert; parents, Sadie Taylor Wright and James Oral Wright; sister, Mary Ellen Thedford; and brothers, James Oral Wright, Jr. and Harrison Earl Wright.
Margaret is survived by her daughters, Susan Smith Canavello and Nancy Smith Nero; grandchildren, Peter Robert Canavello, Patrick James Nero (Shelby), Bradley Lawrence Nero (Sydney), and Emma Taylor Barden (Phillip); and great-grandchild, Harlow June Barden. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
The family would like to give special thanks to caregivers Karen Stevenson, Shannon Alexander, Treasure Lamark, Ana Ordonez, the memory care staff of The Blake at Colonial Club Assisted Living, and the nurses and therapists of St. Michael’s Home Health. Thanks also to the care staff of St. Francis Assisted Living.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation and memorial service on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 5914 Canal Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the service at 10:30 a.m. Following the service, there will be a lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall of Lakeview Presbyterian Church. A private interment will be held on a separate date at Metairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in Margaret’s memory.
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