Obituaries

Barbara Gaye “Babs” Smith, 71, of Bridgeport, WV passed away in the comfort of her home on Friday, March 1, 2024.

She was born in Princeton, WV on October 21, 1952, a daughter of the late Richard David and Myra Phyllis Wickham Hamden.

Babs is survived by her husband of 38 years, Howard L. Smith who resides at their home in Bridgeport.

Also surviving are one son, Ricky Smith and wife Regan of Columbus, OH; two daughters, Rachel Ashcraft and fiancé Philip Casey of Charleston, SC, and Joy Dickey and husband Ben of Tampa, FL; one stepdaughter, Christy Sizemore and husband Chuck of Lost Creek; one granddaughter, Rhema Dickey, as well as one grandchild on the way; and three sisters, Tina Thompson of Virginia, Sheila Hamden of North Carolina, and Vicki Dunaway of Oregon.

Babs was a graduate of Princeton High School and went on to Fairmont State College where she earned a master’s degree. She worked as a music education teacher for the Harrison County Board of Education where she retired after 31 years of service and conducted the first State Honor Choir for Bridgeport High School.

She was an active member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church where she sang in the choir. Babs was a volunteer with the United Hospital Center and served as president of the volunteer association. She served alongside her husband in prison ministry for over 25 years, enjoyed going to the beach, loved music, and recorded her own CD in Nashville, TN on her 60th birthday.

Family and friends may call at the Trinity Assembly of God Church, 70 Maranatha Dr, Fairmont, WV 26554, on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm where the funeral service will be held at the conclusion of the visitation at 1:00 pm with Pastor Wayde Wilson presiding. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.