Barbara Theresa Smith

Barbara Theresa Robinson Smith, age 88, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, in Norcross, Georgia. Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and raised in Kingston, Barbara lived a life marked by faith, service, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Barbara began her lifelong calling to care for others after graduating high school, when she traveled to London to attend nursing school. She became a Registered Nurse and earned her Master of Science in Health Science from Hunter College in New York. She went on to serve in many nursing capacities-general hospital, midwifery, hospice care, in-home care, senior day programs, and community education nursing in low-income communities. She was the proud mother of three children: Sonia Motta Kehinde, Nigel Robinson, and Melissa (Robinson) Graves. She was lovingly called "Grandma" by her grandchildren-Atiba Motta, Tesfa Motta, and Jackson Graves-and was Great-Grandma to Amaya Motta and Imani Motta, the daughters of Tesfa and his wife, Evelyn Motta. Barbara's life was shaped by both love and loss. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred Motta and Iris (Evans) Motta; her first husband, Mark Robinson; her second husband, Royal Smith; and her sister, Gloria (Motta) Gardner. Widowed twice, Barbara found her greatest strength and comfort in her deep faith. She often said that after losing her second husband, "God was all I needed," and she lived each day anchored in that truth. A devoted Christian, Barbara loved the Lord from her earliest childhood memories-often recalling that as a little girl she wanted to be a nun. Her faith only grew stronger with time. She became a prayer warrior, leading intercessory prayer at her church, and later became a licensed minister in Georgia. Barbara also carried her ministry and compassion across the world, participating in international mission trips to St. Vincent, the Philippines, Russia, Uganda, Israel, and Jamaica-where she combined her nursing skills and ministry by providing immunizations and care to children in need. In 2007, Barbara authored her book, Breaking the Curse of Racism from the Root, reflecting her conviction that true healing could begin through honest repentance and a return to God's heart. Barbara will be remembered for her joyful spirit, her generosity, and her loving heart. She was feisty and carried a strong, determined spirit-never afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Yet she balanced that strength with deep compassion, always willing to help anyone in need. She loved to dance, and she was an extraordinary cook. Her famous chicken noodle soup was requested whenever someone was sick-many insisted it had healing powers of its own. She lived her faith every day, giving freely, showing empathy, and offering encouragement and prayer to anyone who needed it. Barbara's life was a testament to compassion, strength, and devotion to God. She touched countless lives through her nursing, ministry, prayers, and kindness. Her legacy will continue through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her. A funeral service honoring her life will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 12th from 2:00PM-4:00PM.