Barbara Martin Smith
Passed 05/04/2019
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, our beloved Barbara was called to be with the Lord. Barbara was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Barbara embraced everyone she came in contact with and loved all with compassion, grace and mercy. She loved spending time with her children, her grandchildren, all of her siblings, and a host of family and friends. She has mentored, guided, and provided a helping hand to many. Barbara’s career started at N.C. A&T University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics and a Master’s degree in Adult Education. During her college tenure, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She made her mark in Civil Rights History participating in the Greensboro Woolworth Sit-Ins in 1960. She worked in various industries in many leadership positions such as the Government (Post-Office) and Higher Education (N.C. A&T University, Prairie View A&M, Savannah State University, Hampton University) retiring from Hampton University. After moving back home to Eden, NC to care for her parents, she taught and mentored many young students at Dudley High School, Reidsville Middle School, and Reidsville High School retiring permanently from Reidsville High School after 15 years of teaching. She received the Teacher of the Year 2014 – 2015 award at Reidsville High School - Rockingham County, N.C. Barbara marked many beautiful places on the map that she traveled to with her children and her sisters. She loved to travel and covered the map making many memories. She would also ask “when is the next trip?” When she wasn’t traveling, she was attended Bold Springs Missionary Baptist Church as a member of the Adult Choir and the Church Secretary. She was very devoted to her faithfulness to God, her church family, and to her Pastor, Samuel Scales. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Sam Wesley Martin Sr. and Gracie (Williams) Martin, Michael Willet Smith, Sr., Brother John Marshall Martin “Sugar”, and sisters Ruth Mitchell “Shortie” and Charlotte Martin “Reedie”. Survived by her siblings Ann Weathers “Bill” (Eddie), Betsy Galloway “Ray”, Ernestine Martin “Teenie”, Sam Martin Jr. “Bud” (Maye), Rose Martin “Peedie”, Donnie Martin (Patra), and Michael Martin. Barbara leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. Barbara, known as “Chunk” was a wonderful mother and grandmother and bragged affectionately and proudly of her children and grandchildren. She wanted to know all of their endeavors, provided guidance, and doted on their accomplishments. Barbara leaves behind children and grandchildren to continue her legacy: Daughter, Alycia Smith (Tyler) and sons Michael Willet Smith, Jr. (Dorothy), and Marcus Smith (Nicole). A host of grandchildren with each having a special relationship: Shawn, Anthony, Terri, Maija, Darrian, Tristin, Jordan, Veronica, Justin, Brya, Jazmyne, Serinity, Jalissa, and Devan. She was blessed with two great grandsons, Amir and Shawn. Barbara was a loyal friend of 44 years to Joy Moyer as well as a wonderful mother figure, stepping in to lovingly guide Ivan (Skip) Hart and Teresa Barham and family. She never met a stranger leaving a host of friends including all of her students to cherish her memory. Barbara was filled with compassion, was sincere, genuine, and a very classy lady. She was amazingly beautiful, filled with such joy and laughter and shared that with everyone. She will be truly missed. “When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.” ~Anonymous