Barbara L. Smith, age 82, was born Dec. 18, 1943 in Dalton, Georgia and passed away July 3, 2026 in Ocala, Florida.
She graduated from Dalton High School in 1962 and attended Women’s College of Georgia (Now Georgia College & State University) for three years prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, Ted Smith, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church June 18, 1966.
She worked for Southern Bell in Atlanta, then, joining her husband in Hanau, Germany, worked for the Officer’s Club Manager. After returning to the States with her husband in 1971, she worked for AT&T in Atlanta until she and her husband moved back to Dalton in 1972. She then worked for the transportation director and later for two senior officials of Coronet Industries. She and her husband were very active in the community, with a passion for the Creative Arts Guild, where she was festival co-chair twice, Performing Arts Live co-chair, and board member, and for Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she was acolyte advisor.
After moving to Brooksville, Florida in 1988, her husband, then President of the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, started his own architectural firm with her as administrator. In 1999 they began assisting her mother, who was in failing health, helping her move to Brooksville and then into an assisted living facility.
In 2003, they moved to Ocala, her husband becoming a partner in a larger firm, and she was able to assist her mom until her mom’s passing in 2005.
Unfortunately, while in Ocala, Barbara began to have numerous health issues and was seriously ill for several years. Fortunately, she was able to stay at home with her husband and always had a wonderfully positive attitude until her passing. She is survived by her husband, Ted Smith and her sister-in-law, Nancy S. Lee.
Condolences and messages of sympathy may be expressed through Julian Peeples Funeral Home’s online guestbook.