Obituaries

Deaconess Barbara Thomas Smith, 81, of Stonewood, WV surrounded by her family, was escorted by a heavenly host of angels to be present with the Lord after an extended illness.

She was born in Cleveland, OH on September 20, 1943, to the late Clarence Wesley Thomas and Ruby Evans Thomas.

She married her loving husband of 60 years, Raymond Preston Smith, on February 21, 1964, and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2024.

Barb is survived by two adored daughters, Angela R. Smith Morgantown, WV, and Arissa R. Smith, who lived with her, her baby brother Ralph (Billie) Thomas of Clarksburg, WV, a special niece, her Little Pink Girl, April (Eric) Green, who she loved like a daughter, of Jacksonville, FL, special nephew, Marcus (Marianne) Helm who she loved like a son of Clarksburg, WV, special niece, Clarice Helm, Clarksburg, WV, goddaughter, Elise Miracle Walker, and brother at heart and friend, Reggie Parks. She will be missed by a host of sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Barb was preceded in death by her great grandmother Eva Evans and sister Deborah Thomas Helm.

Barb graduated from Washington Irving High School class of 1961 and St. Mary’s School of Nursing Class of 1964. She began her amazing nursing career spanning 55 years beginning at St. Mary’s Hospital in 1964 retiring from the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in 1998. Even after retirement she held her nursing license and went back to work at River Oaks Nursing Home until 2019.

Barb was a lifelong member of The Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church having been honored as a member of the 50+ Club in 2014. She served in many capacities of the church including youth leader, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, vacation bible schoolteacher and director, Deaconess and Ms. Mt Zion 2013. She is known at Mt Zion as Deaconess Barbara or Nunny.

Barb served on the board of the Sheltered Workshop, a member of the Eastern Star, a volunteer for hospice, she served on the board of the WV Black Heritage Festival and received the Woman of Distinction Award from The Progressive Women’s Association in 2016.

All were welcome in her home where she would offer a warm hug, prayer, a good meal or a life lesson.

The family would like to thank Alyssa Jenkins, Kendra Linger, Shannon Putnam, Austin Lynch with Amdeysis Hospice. Dr Kelly Nelson and Debbie Kolozy and most of all, her amazing in-home caregivers, Whitney Eagle and Alexis Cox who both took care of her with such care and love.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Friday, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with The Nightingale Tribute at 6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Arica Cox presiding. Interment will follow in the Stonewall Park Cemetery.

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