Barbara Jean Smith
September 10, 1950 - December 20, 2015
Barbara Jean Jones was welcomed into this life on September 10, 1950 by her parents, Paul & Marie (Burns) Jones of Pleasant Grove, UT, her siblings, Janice (Mohetau), Robert, Ron and Alan along with many relatives.
She grew up loving family parties and playing games. Grandma wished mom was more of a girly girl, she could no sooner get in the house after church then she would be back into her pants!! It only makes sense though; you can’t build houses for your family and playhouses for your grandkids in a dress. But she did do it in diamond earrings, a necklace and lipstick!!
On August 15, 1969 she fell in love with and married the love of her life, Jerry Phil Smith son of Charley R & LaRue (Baldwin) Smith of Provo, UT. She would have followed him anywhere! And she did. They went on many adventures by a myriad means of transportation, planes, trains, and automobiles, boats, snowmobiles and side by sides. Oh ya, and a hot air balloon!
There biggest adventure, however, was their family. They have three beautiful daughters Karen (Carter), Charleen (Lee) and Melisa (Collard) and one handsome son Jason. Mom was the perfect mom. She taught us everything like, how to tie our shoes, feed the masses, how to be tactful, to love unconditionally and to forgive (ourselves most importantly), how to hold to our standards in all situations and was a great example to us all. But most importantly, she taught us the gospel and that she loved us, no matter what!
With kids come in-laws Corey Carter, Robert Lee, Chad Collard and Tara Cook. She got so lucky that we picked well and she loves them like her own. Mom became a grandma at the age of 33, and now has a total of 18 grandkids and 5 great-grandkids. She has a saying, “If I knew grandkids were so much fun, I’d have had them first!” And she is the best grandma ever.
Mom was service minded and her family always came first! She was ever ready to drop everything for a party, play date, work date, or to help in times of need, and did I mention party? She would come with a treat or necessary tools and many times both! She knew what was important as she lovingly cared for many ailing aunts & uncles, sisters-in-law, parents and mother-in-law. There is neither room nor time enough to tell of the many simple acts of kindness to others, or the many large loads of laundry and/or dishes that she did for us girls. Not to mention the play dates, lunch dates and shopping with grandkids when they needed a listening ear.
Mom served two missions with her husband and best friend. They served in Milwaukee, WI from Feb. 2004 – Feb. 2005. Heber Valley Camp in Utah from April 2013 – Oct. 2014. In between missions they were called as temple workers in the Mt Timpanogos Temple where they served each Saturday for two years.
Needless to say, the year 2015 was supposed to be the year we would play! We found out in Feb. that wasn’t the Lords plan for her when she was diagnosed with Primary CNS Lymphoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Mom said that she was blessed to have the love and support from her family and friends, that her being sick has brought the family even closer together. Caring for her has been a blessing for us all and we probably spent more quality time together, along with a lot of quantity time, returning the many hours of service that she has given to us. She stayed so happy and positive throughout, bringing a smile to all the doctors, nurses and staff, making friends with everyone she met.
Sunday morning, Dec 20th, dad gave her one last kiss; she gave him one last smile, then passed away peacefully.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the Manila LDS Stake Center, 850 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Family and friends may also attend an evening viewing Sunday, December 27, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com
