Barbara Jean Smith

Barbara Jean (Clark) Smith

February 13, 1945 – February 10, 2026

A wonderful blessing, and an early Valentine's Day gift, was brought into the world on February 13, 1945, to Gerald Eugene Clark and Helen Naomi (Rice) Clark. Their youngest child, Barbara Jean, was welcomed with love by her older siblings, Robert and Geraldene. She grew up in the small town of Green City, Missouri, in a home filled with laughter, warmth, and an abundance of love.

Barbara attended Green City R-1 High School, home of the Gophers, where she was a bright and spirited student. She was a majorette and participated in basketball, softball, glee club, band, FHA, girls' quartet, pep band, mixed chorus, pep club, drama, Letter Club, band contests, and was even a Yearbook Queen candidate. In 1959, she caught the eye of the coolest guy in town, Roger Gail Smith, with his ducktail hair and Betty Boop leather jacket. The two quickly became the "it" couple, and their love story began. It was a love that never faded.

Barbara graduated in 1963, and on March 7, 1964, she and Roger were married in a ceremony officiated by her grandfather, Guy Clark. Though they did not take a honeymoon at the time, Barbara and Roger made up for it many times over, traveling the world together throughout their 62 years of marriage.

Soon after marrying, they traded country roads for the "big city" of Kansas City, where they began building their life together. In 1966, they welcomed their first daughter, Tonya. Their family grew again in 1968 with the birth of Talena, and in 1970, their third daughter, Toni, was born, completing their lively household.

Barbara was a devoted mother to her three girls. She was endlessly (or at least impressively) patient through broken bones, broken glass doors, broken teeth and all manner of spirited tomfoolery. She never missed an event, performance, game, or ceremony. Showing up was her love language. Through her steady support and joyful presence, her daughters grew into three remarkable women, a testament to the mother who raised them.

In 1989, Barbara earned the title she treasured most: Granny. Her family expanded to include six beautiful granddaughters, one handsome grandson, and two precious great-grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and showed up for them just as she had for her daughters - at every party, play, recital, and milestone. But her love was never limited by biology. Any friend her grandchildren brought home was warmly greeted with, "Hi, I'm Granny," and from that moment on, they had one more grandmother. What began as a garden of grandchildren became a whole field of "adopted" grandkids who proudly called her by her favorite name.

Barbara retired in 2000 after many dedicated years at Dodson Insurance Group, where she rose to Vice President of Data Processing. Retirement only widened her circle. A true social butterfly, she joined the Red Hat Ladies and happily "caused chaos" everywhere they went. Barbara and Roger spent their retirement traveling, often in their RV, preferring back roads, scenic routes, and the simple joy of discovering somewhere new together.

She loved the outdoors and found great peace gardening and walking beneath the trees on their property just outside Osceola, Missouri. She made sure her grandchildren felt that space was theirs too, inviting them to create and hang handmade signs along the winding paths of the land. Her home, whether in Kansas City, Green City, Garden City, or Osceola, was a place of warmth, welcome, and unforgettable holiday gatherings. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas at Granny's were not just events; they were traditions wrapped in laughter and love.

Barbara left this Earth and returned home to the Lord on February 10, 2026. Just as she entered this world surrounded by love, she left it the same way - held close by her devoted family. The world is brighter and kinder because she was in it. To know Granny was to know love. If we wish to honor her memory, we need only to continue what she did so effortlessly: meet one another with kindness, show up for the people we love, and open our hearts wide.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Roger Smith, of the home; her siblings, Robert Clark of Green City, Missouri, and Geraldene May of Vero Beach, Florida; her three daughters, Tonya Hockett of Iconium, Missouri; Talena Welsh of Kansas City, Missouri; and Toni Smith of Raytown, Missouri; her seven grandchildren, Tabitha Hockett of Grimes, Iowa; Shelby Welsh of Burbank, California; Jerri O'Hora, and her children Ozias and Iris, of Kansas City, Missouri; Sarah Hockett of Waukee, Iowa; Mirella Welsh of Kansas City, Missouri; Kc McCoy of Independence, Missouri; and Billie McCoy of Raytown, Missouri; along with an endless number of friends, extended family, and "adopted" children and grandchildren who will forever carry her warmth in their hearts.

A visitation will be held for Barbara from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, with a service at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 16, 2026 at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Green City, Missouri.

Flowers are welcome or a memorial contribution can be made to the Burnett Cemetery.