Barbara Jackson Smith

1937 - 2025

Barbara Smith passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025. Born Barbara Heather Jackson in St. Paul Minnesota on October 10, 1937, she was the second born child of Chalmer Helmsley and Edna Janet (Buckley) Jackson. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Jack, her parents Chal and Edna, and her sister Janet.

After Barbara's birth in St. Paul, her family moved for her father's work as a U.S. government civil engineer, living in Baltimore and Denver before ultimately settling in Ogden, Utah. Barbara graduated from Ogden Senior High School in 1955, and met her lifelong sweetheart, Jack Lee Smith, that same year. Barbara began her undergraduate studies at Stanford University in the Fall of 1955.

After marrying in 1957, Barbara and Jack lived in the San Francisco Bay area, where Jack worked as a chemical engineer and Barbara continued her studies at Stanford. In 1958, Jack's employment took the couple to Pocatello, where they raised two children.

Barbara completed her undergraduate studies at Idaho State University, earning a BA in French with high honors. She went on to complete an MA in English at ISU in 1968 and further studies in medieval English literature at the University of Utah.

In her working years, Barbara taught university courses in English and French, directed the juvenile division of the Pocatello Public Library, and was a substitute teacher on the Fort Hall Reservation.

She played flute and piano from childhood well into her adult years, ultimately playing flute in the ISU Civic Symphony Orchestra, where Jack played string bass.

Barbara and Jack moved from Pocatello to the southeastern US in 2016 to be closer to family. After 60 years of marriage, Jack passed in 2018. Barbara lived near her son and his family in Roswell, GA until the time of her passing. Her life was characterized by resilience and curiosity. She found joy and meaning in helping others, reading, music, and her Christian faith.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Beverly (Seattle), son Lee and daughter-in-law Lori (Atlanta), two granddaughters Gwen (Boston, MA) and Johanna (Athens, GA), step-grandchildren Matt, Clint and Kelli (all of Tallahassee, FL), and their families including four great-grandchildren.