Barbara Joan Guyton

On Sunday morning, Oct. 26, Barbara Joan Guyton, 91, passed from this earth and stepped into the arms of Jesus.

Barbara was born in Pueblo, Colorado on July 20, 1934, to parents, Ernest and Pearl Cochran. She had one younger sibling, Virgialee (Virgie) whom she adored. She graduated from Central High School and attended Pueblo Junior College. Upon graduation, she worked as a medical technician at the Colorado State Hospital. In December of 1955 she married her high school sweetheart, Ray Smelek. Shortly after, they moved to San Jose, CA where 3 of their 4 children were born. The family moved to England in 1963 and had their 4th child. After a short stint in Scotland, they moved back to California and then on to Boise, ID in 1973 where they remained throughout the kids' educations. Barbara was a wonderful mother and chose to stay at home to raise her children. She did love to volunteer, however, and she served faithfully at St. Luke's hospital as the President of the Auxiliary Board for many years after her children were in school.

In 2001, Barbara moved to the Denver area to marry David Guyton. They enjoyed 22 wonderful years together and she faithfully cared for him as he battled and eventually succumbed to Alzheimer's. Prior to his passing, they relocated to Spring in 2021 to be closer to much of her family.

Barbara had 4 children, Michael (Mike) Smelek, Kathy Acosta, Steve Smelek and Susan (Sue) Kaiser. She also had 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mike and his wife, Leslie, live in Hockley, TX and have three children; Kerri Childress, married to Mike Childress and son Colton; Robert (Bobby) Smelek, married to Anya Smelek and children Titus, Adah, Emma and Jude; and Brian Smelek, married to Lisa Smelek and children Mercy, Ezekiel (Zeke) and Uriah. Kathy and her husband, Albert (Al) Acosta live in Woodland, WA. Kathy has three boys: Kyle Farmer, Ryan Farmer, married to Brenda Szwejbka, and Tyler Farmer. Steve lives in Woodland, WA. Sue and her husband, Ken, live in Spring, TX and have three children; Chase Kaiser; Abbey Bennett, married to Samuel (Sam) Bennett and sons Brooks and Zachary; and Madison (Maddie) Tomasino, married to Tyler Tomasino. Barbara also had two stepdaughters; Sandy Schiel, married to Ed Schiel and children Ryan and Hannah; and Holly Guyton, married to Olivier Berdoyes and son Antoine. Barbara loved spending time with her family and made it a priority to attend each graduation and wedding no matter where she had to travel to do it.

Barbara loved to cross stitch and, over the years, among other things, completed beautifully detailed Christmas stockings for each of her kids, grandkids and great grandchildren and all the spouses - more than thirty works of art meticulously created with love. She also loved to play golf and bridge and treasured the friendships that were formed through each. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior as an adult and, since moving to the Spring area, enjoyed attending church at The Church at Cross Lake where her grandson, Brian, is the pastor and attending women's Bible study at Northwest Bible Church with her daughter.

Barbara touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of knowing her. She loved her friends and family well. Her warmth and generous spirit will be remembered forever. She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength that lives on in all of us.

Services to celebrate Barbara's life will be held on Monday, November 3rd at Northwest Bible Church at 2:00. The address is 5503 Fellowship Ln, Spring, TX 77379.