Barbara Louise Bates Smith

Barbara Louise Bates Smith Age 95, died 11 April 2010 at Huron Woods Senior Health Facility in Ann Arbor. She was the second of four children of Bion LaMott Bates and Wilma Jackson Bates and was born at home 17 May 1914 in Ovid, Michigan. Barbara graduated from Ovid High School in 1931 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1936. She was a lifelong member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. On 7 November 1936 she married Russell Allan Smith in Angola, Indiana. In 1956 Barbara returned to higher education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Michigan State University in 1958. She was employed at Michigan State in food services and was Supervisor of Food, Housekeeping and Laundry for the Coldwater State Home and Training Center before retirement in 1979. Retirement brought the time and ability to pursue a cherished goal of visiting over 100 different countries on all seven continents. Barbara is survived by daughters Susan Gray (Robert) and Martha Nield (James), son Randall Smith (Judy), daughter in law Ruth Smith (widow of Jerome Smith), sister Emily Haynes, brothers Jackson and Richard Bates, six grandchildren and their spouses, and six great grandchildren. A family ceremony will be held in Ovid. Memorial contributions can be sent to Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 or a charity of choice.