Barbara Jean Smith

Barbara J. Smith was born in Great Falls Montana to Valeria Oriet and William Ayers on June 16, 1937. She spent her early years in Montana with her sweet Grandma Jennie and Grandpa O. Her days were filled shadowing her grandma, soaking up all the love and learning, along with spending time with cousin's Kenny, Patty, and Dick, including her favorite Uncle Sonny. She never forgot her love for her Grandma Jennie or beautiful Montana even as dementia took her far away from us.

At a young age, Barbara moved to Bellingham where she graduated BHS class of '55. She went on to attend art school in Portland and eventually moved back to Bellingham where she married James D. Smith in 1964. She attended Immanuel Bible Church where she found a community she could serve and enjoyed the company of so many friends.

Barbara's career, specializing in interior decorating, started at Sash and Door in their paint and wallpaper department. Eventually, she would take her talent of combining color, wallpaper, paint, texture, and design to become the original owner of Walls and Windows where she specialized in window treatments and wallpaper.  Having a small-town business meant she would be the first one to help a friend or customer hang wallpaper any number of weekends. She was a class act and treated all her customers as friends.

Barbara always had her door open to family, friends and visitors. She was mother to 3 children; Wade Smith and wife Jane, Darryl Smith and wife Shannone, and Jennie Stealy and husband George.  She loved spending time in her yard sharing her love for art and the beauty of God's creation with her 5 grandchildren, Collin Smith, David, Andrew, Christina, and Samuel Stealy.  We will remember that sparkle in her beautiful eyes when she was up to a bit of mischief and we will all miss her dearly.