Valerian Edward Butler "Peppah" Smith III

Valerian Butler Smith, known fondly as "Peppah," departed this life on Friday, January 27, 2023, at University Medical Center New Orleans after a brief respiratory illness, ending a valiant seven year journey through the debilitating effects of an aortic rupture and subsequent anoxic brain injury in 2015. Through it all, his was an extraordinary life. He had the rare ability to pursue interests until they were passions until his knowledge became encyclopedic and execution prodigious. While an internationally-focused investment banker, some of these passions were playing the cello, riding horses, gardening, cooking, drawing, dancing, historic preservation, history, and decorative and fine arts. Mr. Butler Smith was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 21, 1959 to V. Jean Butler and the late Dr. Valerian E. Smith. He was educated in Baton Rouge through elementary school. Recognized as a prodigious cellist, performing the Saint-Seans concerto accompanied by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra at twelve, he attended North Carolina School of the Arts. He decided that finance was a more practical professional path. He returned to Baton Rouge, transferring to Catholic High School. Upon graduation in 1977, he chose Princeton University (Class of 1982) majoring in International Economics. At Princeton, Mr. Butler Smith was a member of Ivy Club, First Chair of the Princeton Orchestra and Captain of the Equestrian Team. Upon graduation, he began his career in finance in New Orleans, Louisiana, first at Howard Weil Labouisse Freidrichs and later as co-founding partner of Washington, Hackett, Smith & Company. He relocated to New York as Vice President of First Capital Advisors, later founding investment banking, private investment management firm Ashland Capital Holdings. A "cradle Episcopalian," he was warden of the vestry of All Saints Episcopal Church in New York City. Mr. Butler Smith was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Valerian E. Smith, II; his maternal grandparents, Dr. Leo S. Butler and Estelle Devall Butler; his paternal grandparents, Dr. Dennis E. Smith and Willia Hundley Smith; aunt, Elayne Butler Bryant: and a first cousin, William Carlton Washington II. He is survived by his devoted mother, V. Jean Butler, sisters Lynn Whitfield of Atlanta, Ga., Kimberleigh Butler-Smith Taylor, Shawne Langston Emery (Bishop Calvin Emery), all of Baton Rouge; three nieces, a nephew and many extended, bereaved relatives. Due to his beloved St. James being located on the Mardi Gras parade route and there are afternoon parades on February 11 and 18, Mr. Butler Smith's funeral will take place at St. James Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Visitation 10:00 am to 11:45 am followed by the funeral service at noon. The interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. (See complete obituary at rabenhorst.com.)