Barbara S. Smith Briggs

?A Loving and Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Cousin and Friend?

God?s Will has once again been manifested in our lives, as He has summoned our precious and beloved Barbara Sharon Smith Briggs from an Earthly Life of labor and love, to an Eternal and Everlasting Life in Heaven on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at her humble residence of 3602 Louise Drive in Chester, Virginia.

Barbara was a wonderful gift from God born to Ada Scott Smith and the late George Edward Smith, Sr. on November 18, 1953, in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to her loving father, Barbara was greeted at Heaven?s Gates by her 3 dear children who passed away during infancy, and her beloved father-in-law and mother-in-law, the late Aaron J. Briggs III and Ruth Emma Briggs.
Barbara was a wise, adorable and inquisitive little girl who possessed a gorgeous smile that would melt your heart!

She received her formal education from the Chesterfield County Public Schools System and was a Honor Graduate of the Midlothian High School Class of 1972. She then matriculated to the Historic Virginia Union University where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Studies. She held the distinct honor of being the Valedictorian of her graduating class (Magna Cum Laude), with high honors and numerous accolades. Barbara was a gifted and determined young woman who was blessed with many talents and abilities to include: sewing, cooking, writing, traveling, singing (she was blessed with a beautiful and lyrical soprano voice), caring for children and the elderly, reading and especially studying the Word of God. She found immense joy in family gatherings and sleepovers.

Barbara?s commitment and lifelong walk with the Master began at an early age, as she professed Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Midlothian, Va., by the Rev. George W. Manning. Barbara was a faithful and devoted member of the following Ministries: Deaconess Ministry, Choir, Youth Forum, Vacation Bible School Teacher and Women Connected Through Christ Ministry. Upon relocating with her husband to Chester, Va., Barbara became a member of the Bethesda Baptist Church, where she continued her compassion for ministry as a dedicated member of the Deaconess Board, Senior Choir, Sunday School Teacher and The Missionary Circle.

Barbara met a handsome and caring young man, Bernard Eldridge Briggs from Chesterfield County Virginia, who would prove to be the love of her life. After a period of romance and courtship, they were united in Holy Matrimony on February 19, 1977. God has blessed their union with 37 years of love and devotion, along with 4 handsome and caring sons: Aaron Junious Briggs, IV, Donnell Scott Briggs, Zaire Leon Briggs and Isaiah Juwan Briggs. Barbara was a loving, caring and devoted wife and mother who was truly a blessing to her family, especially her children. She was blessed with wisdom, sincere advice and wise counsel that was often sought after by her family and her many dear friends. Her kind, sweet and caring demeanor allowed her to be a compassionate friend to everyone. She has now gained true victory and perfect peace over the burdens and cares of this life. Though she is now absent from her physical body here on earth, we rejoice in the promise of God that her soul is now ?present with the Lord?! To God Be The Glory for blessing our lives with such an incredible, quintessential woman, who was small in stature, but possessed a heart as big as the ocean.

Barbara?s life, love and legacy will be forever cherished by her loving, faithful and devoted husband, Bernard E. Briggs, 4 loving and caring sons, Aaron J. ?AJ? Briggs, IV (Natasha), Donnell S. Briggs (Tanisha), Zaire L. Briggs and Isaiah J. Briggs ; 4 adorable grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Aaron J. Briggs V, Ahsinat Llennod Briggs, Nicole Dajanay Briggs and Amii Genesis Briggs ; her loving and devoted mother, Ada S. Smith ; her loving and devoted siblings, Jacqueline S. Jones, Edna A. Smith, Evangelist LaVerne M. Henley (Bobby), Deacon Louise S. Jasper, George E. Smith, Jr. (Carla), Robert I. Smith and Benji Vaughan; 5 loving brothers-in-law, Charles R. Briggs, Carl S. Briggs (Magola), Nathaniel O. Briggs, Roger A. Briggs (Marsha), and David L. Briggs ; loving aunts and uncles, Shirley Mushaw (Frederick), Georgia Miller (Frankie), Nancy Vaughan (Thurman), Geraldine Clarke, Pastor Ann Scott and Florence Scott; loving and devoted friends, Elizabeth ?Libby? Robinson, JoAnne Brown, Susan Lee, Minister Florence J. Adkins, Minster Paula Harp and Barbara D. Harris, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

Services for Mrs. Barbara S. Smith Briggs will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Bethesda Baptist Church, 15800 Woods Edge Road, Colonial Heights, Va., the Rev. Juanita A. W. Harrison, Pastor, officiating and Rev. Florence J. Adkins, eulogist. Interment to follow at Mt. Minnis Memorial Garden.

The family will receive friends at 3602 Louise Drive, Chester, Va.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Briggs at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.