Smith, Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann Smith, a very much loved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away quietly in her home in Oceanside, Calif., on Tuesday morning, Feb. 22, 2011, she was 81 years young.

Barbara was born on Oct. 16, 1929, to Henry and Harriett Klein of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the fourth of six children born to the family. She moved with them to Clinton, but later returned to Cedar Rapids where she attended Roosevelt High School. While in high school, she was very involved in the Girls Athletics Association and at various times served as treasure, vice president and finally president. She eventually graduated from Roosevelt High in 1947.

In 1949, she married Arthur D. Clark of Marion (deceased) and they had one son, Derek Clark now of Fallbrook Calif.

Barbara eventually settled in Oceanside, Calif., in 1964. In 1967, she began a 25 year career at the Oceanside Library. While working at the library she met and later married Tom Smith. They lived happily together for over 25 years before his death in 2001.

Both Barb and Tom loved golf and were members of the El Camino Country Club since 1977. Barb continued to play golf right up until four days before her death. While Barbara will be remembered for he many activities and accomplishments both at work and sports, her friends and family will always remember how this otherwise very private person could light up a room with her sincere and caring conversation. Her laughter, her kindness to others, her joy at meeting new people and most of all her cheerful and positive outlook on life in good times and bad impressed all around her.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and four of her siblings, Robert, Ruth, William and Donald; as well as her first husband, Arthur; and finally her husband, Thomas W. Smith III.

She is survived by her son, Derek and his wife, Robin and grandchildren, Brittany, Missy and Travis; also her sister, Janice; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place for Barbara at the El Camino Country Club in Oceanside from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Oceanside Library or to Zion Lutheran Church and School in Fallbrook.