Barbara Ann Byrd Smith

Barbara Byrd Murray Smith went to her heavenly home on July 21st.

Barbara was born in Valle Crucis, NC on February 19, 1938, to Claude and Edna Byrd. Together the three of them braved the 40-flood camping under a rock cliff. Her adventures continued as a child, and she told many stories of having to walk to the one room schoolhouse in Valle Crucis. She ventured further away and attended high school in Philadelphia, PA. After high school she moved to Burlington, NC where she met her 1st husband, Haywood Murray.

Together the two of them moved to Jacksonville, FL and built a life. There she worked for Carolina Casualty Insurance Company until her retirement. She also co-owned multiple businesses with her husband and both shared a love of helping children, either through Shriners or simply helping the local neighborhood kids.

From motorhomes to cars, she loved a good road trip and always had the itinerary planned down to the minute. She shared this love of travel with her family and traversed both the US and Canada in a mini caravan of motorhomes. Everyone will miss her timed bathroom breaks.

After retiring she split her time between her mountain home and Jacksonville, Fl. After the death of her first husband, she met and married Gary Smith during a destination wedding in Hawaii.

Above it all, Barbara her family and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She read her Bible daily and wanted to share His word with others.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband Gary Smith and their beloved dog Buddy, her brother Johnny Byrd and wife Mae, one nephew Johnny Byrd Jr, two nieces Melina Byrd Dollar and husband Ernie, niece Jeana Byrd and husband Tim Racz, two great nephews Zack and Wes Racz, one great niece Abby Highsmith Bertone and husband Joe. One great, great nephew, Justin Bertone, sister-in law Shella Huffman, and brother-in-law David Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Edna Byrd, husband Haywood Murray, brother Jack Byrd, sister-in law Thelma Byrd.

Services will be held at Hampton Funeral Home on Saturday July 25th. The family will receive friends from 10-11 am. The funeral will follow at 11 with Paster Derick Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at the Byrd Cemetery on Justus Road in Valle Crucis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Samaritans Purse, Boone, NC.

Online condolence may be sent to the Smith family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.