Barbara Smith

Barbara Helen Smith “Bo” was granted her angel wings on Sunday, 17 October 2010. Her final days were spent in the company of family and friends that she had touched in some way during her life. Raised in southwest Texas ranch land her life was filled with open sky, few fences, hard work ethic and a deep respect for living life to the fullest. She was in the top of her class and was football queen her senior year. Upon graduation she entered nursing school. However, after one semester she was forced to leave school as it was believed erroneously that she had contracted polio. She later followed her family to Artesia, worked at the Artesia Savings and Loan rooming with her best friend Lorraine Rogers. During this time she met and married James R. Smith, WWII veteran who was playing bass with a traveling swing band in southeastern New Mexico. They married after knowing each other for three whole weeks. Their marriage was a “bed of roses” for almost 60 years. Well, maybe not a “bed of roses”. She would certainly laugh at that one! Bo’s legacy is her love relationship with the Heavenly Father and how she could not resist sharing that love with others. Her desire was for everyone to know the saving grace she had found in Jesus Christ. She is survived by her husband, James R. Smith of the home. A brother, Dwight Davis and his wife Judy of Plano, TX. Children, Melany Gray and her husband Alton of Indianapolis, Indiana, and their children McKenzie and Kevin. Debra Belyeu and her husband Ted of Roswell and their children Deacon and Vance. J Mark Smith and his wife Tracy of Ashland, WI, and their two children C.J. and Josh. Bo and family are forever grateful for the love and compassion shown by Dr. Vega, Misty, our local ambulance and first responder professionals, the superb staff at Casa Maria, our Church on the Move family, and the many friends who stuck by us and prayed for us during this difficult time. Please join us for a celebration of Bo’s life on Wednesday, October 20th at 2pm at the Andersen-Bethany chapel. The family suggests memorial funds to your favorite charity.

Barbara Smith

December 31, 1930 - October 17, 2010