Class News

Today's Featured Biography

 
Adrian Smith

Barbara Lee Smith, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Aug.1, 2011, in Tulsa, Okla. She was born in Tulsa on June 27, 1934, to Stephen B. and Alice Hurst Smith. Barbara was very proud of her family’s role in Tulsa history - her grandmother Mabel Essley Smith was the first principal of what would become Central High School, and other family members helped to found St. Paul’s Methodist Church on Cherry Street. Growing up, Barbara moved with her family to Oklahoma City, Okla., McPherson and Olney, Ill., where she was high school football queen. Her beauty, class, and vivacity had many young men vying for her affections. It was while her family was living in McPherson that she met the love of her life, Adrian M. Smith (Smitty). They were married Nov. 14, 1952, in McPherson. Throughout their 58 years of marriage they set a wonderful example of commitment and love. Her many interests and skills kept her busy in the PTA, Magic Empire Pony Association, Osage Territory Muzzleloaders, Girl Scouts, and the American Red Cross. She was very involved in politics. The highlight of her many years of political involvement was when she and Adrian attended Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration with their good friends Paul and Freda Thornbrugh. She loved to sail and even took flying lessons. Her great taste came in handy in her flair for decorating. Barbara had a great sense of humor, was very competitive in board games, loved to work crosswords, and danced to the wonderful old standards. She read voraciously. She knew the proper etiquette for every situation. She would kill for chocolate! A generous giver of her time, talent, and resources to family and friends, she was also a benefactor to numerous charities, always quick to donate to help those in need. Her great loves were her children and grandchildren of whom she was SO PROUD. Barbara is survived by: her loving and devoted husband, Adrian, retired president of Hammond Engineering Company; daughter Sherri Sligar and husband, Randy, daughter Andrea Lightfoot and husband, Glen, grandsons Jordan and Dillon Sligar and granddaughter Sylvie Lightfoot; brother-in-law Ronald Smith, his wife Marjorie, and their sons Brian and Troy of McPherson; sister-in-law Anita Joy Rhodes of Leawood; and brother-in-law Gareld B. Smith of Winter Haven, Fla.
We are all comforted by the fact that we know we will see her again in heaven! A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Barbara’s memory to New Life Ranch, 160 New Life Ranch Drive, Colcord, OK 74338.

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES