Lyneath B. Floyd, 86, died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a period of declining health.

Lyneath was born May 8, 1940, in Dublin, Georgia, daughter of William and Maggie Louise (Carter) Branch. Following her father’s death, she was raised in Macon, Georgia, by her mother.

She attended Mt. de Sales Academy and St. Joseph's Infirmary School of Nursing in Atlanta, where she studied nursing. During this time, she met Franklin Floyd, a student at Georgia Institute of Technology. They married in 1961 and, after Franklin’s hitch in the Army in Fort Lewis, Washington, they moved to Watertown, Massachusetts. They moved to Concord in 1968, where she lived for most of her life, on Southfield Circle, Annursnac Hill Road, and Keyes Road.

Lyneath returned to school in the early 1970s and earned an advanced degree in psychology from Emmanuel College. Following graduation, she worked at Emerson Hospital, where she became head nurse of the hospital’s psychiatric unit.

Lyneath retired in the late 1990s to care for her husband during an extended illness.

After retiring, Lyneath became an avid world traveler, including a memorable global circumnavigation that took her to six continents over the course of a year. When not traveling, Lyneath was a faithful volunteer with Open Table, preparing and serving meals to families in need. It was an apt role for her, as food held a central role in her life. A highly skilled and creative chef, her elegant meals for family and friends were legendary.

A true Southern cook, she took great joy in sharing the secrets and kitchen wisdom with her children and grandchildren, wisdom handed down to her by her mother and grandmother.

Lyneath is predeceased by her husband, her sister Laquita Runyan, and her beloved niece Karen Drinkard.

She is survived by her daughter, Shannon, her husband Daniel Leibholz of Newton and their children Nate and Jonah; her son, Jesse, his wife Michelle Brosnahan of Boxborough and their children Ethan and Abigail; Aynsley, her husband Thomas Mucha of Boston and their daughter, Carter; her nephew, Kenneth Runyan and his wife, Gisele MaCauley of Florida; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to The Colonial Inn in Concord on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 from noon to 2 p.m. for a light lunch and reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Open Table
P.O. Box 42
Concord, Massachusetts 01742
www.opentable.org

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com