Barbara Smith

Barbara Alice Brown Smith passed away peacefully in the hospital in Bedford, Texas, on November 6, 2016, surrounded by family. Barbara was born November 18, 1940, in Dalhart, Texas, to Carlile and Alice Brown, their youngest and third daughter. She spent her early years on a farm in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, and was a lifetime member of the Marella United Methodist Church. She graduated from Plainview High School, a small rural school, where she was one of four in her class. Following graduation from high school, she earned an Associate Degree in Business in Amarillo, Texas. She worked for an insurance company for a year before moving to Boise City, Oklahoma, where her parents had purchased the Townsman Motel. Barbara set up the bookkeeping at the motel and helped her parents with the business for a year. Barbara worked in the accounting department of Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas, before settling into a job with Texas Employment Commission (TEC) where she thrived and made many wonderful friends. During her time with TEC, she was valued by her peers and received several awards of recognition. However, she was most proud of her last job with Justin Boots, Inc., where she served as a Tax Credit Consultant. Barbara retired from Justin Boots due to a back injury. She often talked about how much she had loved working and the day-to-d interactions with her fellow colleagues, many becoming lifelong friends. Barbara inherited her father Carlile’s sense of humor and her mother Alice’s concern for others. Her charm and sweetness drew people to her but they soon learned that she was an encourager, good listener, concerned friend, never placing judgment, just accepting and supportive. When her children were younger, many of their friends thought of her fondly as “Mom.” She has maintained friendships from her childhood, as well as from her career, and made a point to stay in touch. She was able to develop new friendships and connections through simple interactions with medical personnel, hairdressers and others quite easily. Her cousin said when learning of her passing, “She was the finest friend I ever had and was beautiful inside and out. I don’t think she ever had or expressed an unkind thought about others.” Barbara loved beautiful things, her favorites being crystal and jewelry. She, however, had a greater passion for knowledge and was an avid reader, acquiring a wealth of information that she loved to share with family and friends. She was not technology savvy; however, she loved using her Kindle and most recently was learning to use her iPad. Her daughter loaded it with years of family photos and videos, and she absolutely loved watching them and reminiscing about days gone by. Recently, she and her sister Nora spent several hours talking about things they did as kids, as well as remembering old friends and family. During the conversation, Nora said she did not remember some of the stories, and Barbara replied, “That’s because I have a better memory than you.” Though Barbara truly enjoyed reading, she also enjoyed watching TV and she was also somewhat of a news junkie and was always up to date on the latest in politics and crime. Her daughters sometimes told her to stop watching for a while as it could have a strong effect on her, causing worry and anxiety. She would do so for a while but would soon be back at it, updating them on the latest. She loved to call her brother-in-law George and debate politics with him. She had already cast her vote for this year’s Presidential election. Though she had many health issues over the years, Barbara faced each with a strong faith in God and was thought of as a true survivor with a strong will to live. Her greatest heartache was the loss of her son, Kyle Nolan Gilley, in 2003. This remained a deep sorrow for her, but through her faith and the passage of time, the edge became less sharp, but the sadness remained. Barbara’s most important and strongest love in her life was her children. She and Kyle shared a special mother-son bond. He loved to tease her and easily could make her laugh. Her daughters spoke to her every day and visited her often. She would be the first to tell someone she was blessed with two grandsons that she adored. Her children and grandsons were the focus of her life, and she worried about them, confirmed her love for them daily, prayed for their safety, and enjoyed knowing what their latest adventures might entail. She also was very proud and thankful for her son-in-law Greg. She loved with a great compassion and never failed to end every visit or conversation with “I love you.” George Eliot wrote: “A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.” Barbara understood chaff and grain and, therefore, was able to look at each individual and keep what was worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. She will be greatly missed, but all who knew her rejoice knowing she is reunited with those she loved and is free of pain. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Kyle, and her sister Aletha Brown Skelley. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her daughters, Teresa and husband Greg Cochran; LaDenna Gilley Franks; sister Nora and Lanny Long; two grandsons, John and Kevin Cochran; her nieces; great nieces and nephews; cousins and friends. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 Thursday November 10, 2016, at Forest Ridge Funeral Home, Hurst, Texas. Burial will be Friday, November 11, 2016, in the Marella Cemetery, Griggs, OK.