Barbara A. Smith

The family of Barbara Ann Call (Thomas) Smith are sad to announce Barbara’s passing due to natural causes in Ault, Colorado on December 18th, 2024, one week after celebrating her 90th birthday. Born on December 11, 1934 in Denver, Colorado as an orphan, she spent a large part of her early childhood in a Denver orphanage. Her memories of children being left at the orphanage during the depression haunted her for the rest of her life. Because of this experience Barbara became one of the most caring people towards those less fortunate. She was eventually adopted at age 5 by Art and Edna Call of Fleming, Colorado, an older couple whom Barbara fondly described as the best parents a child could ever want. She was raised on a farm south of Fleming with draft horses, and a myriad of other animals and learned about the hard but rewarding life of being part of a farm family. She was put in a small country school, excelled and was soon put in a class that was 2 years ahead of her age. She was always good at singing, something which the older girls at the orphanage encouraged, and singing became a very important part of who she was. As a young child she was put on the bandstand to sing in Fleming on Saturday nights and also sang during breaks at the local sale barn. She went on to sing as a young adult up at the front range of Colorado. (Her children were blessed to hear 1940-50’s show tunes and love ballads as their lullaby’s.) She graduated from Fleming High School in 1951 at age 16 and briefly joined the army. When Barbara moved back to Fleming she met Leroy Thomas, a farmer and teacher. They were married in 1954 and raised 4 children: Laird, Becky, Joe, and Ellen. Barbara worked hard on the Thomas farm east of Fleming and soon learned that she hated chasing cows and fixing fence. She developed a very close friendship with her schoolmate, ‘Ole’ Hauschild and spent many wonderful years with Ole and her family (Gwen, Cindy and Chris) ice skating in the winters and watching the children ride horses in the summer. She also developed a close and life-long friendship with Joyce (Rowan) Joy and her daughters Jodell and Sue. Barbara eventually continued her higher education when all of her children were in school and she graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Sociology. Her lively mind was wonderful for her family and community as she involved herself in many wonderful creative ways. She was also an artist and loved writing. This led to her becoming a journalist for the Sterling Journal Advocate and eventually she became a secretary for the Logan County Sheriff’s Office as well as a deputy herself. After her divorce in 1972 she met Richard (Bud) Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado. He was the information officer for the Division of Wildlife for the state of Colorado, as well as a photographer and a great wood-turner. They married in 1976 and Barbara moved to Ft. Collins. She became a stepmother to Brian Smith, aged 13 years, and worked as an accountant for a newspaper, hospice, a landscaping business and a lumberyard. During this time Bud and Barb would travel the US and the world together. In more recent years, Barb and Bud briefly moved to Amado, Arizona, where he eventually died in 2017. Barbara moved back to Colorado and spent much of her time living at the Thomas farm in Fleming or in Ault, Colorado with her daughter Becky. She would occasionally spend time on a ranch in Northern California with her daughter Ellen. Her most recent years were spent helping improve the family farm inherited by her children. She spent time supporting the restoration of the farm house and the grounds. Many friends have mentioned how lovely the house looks with the Irish white rock fence and flowers, flowers, flowers. Barbara’s flower patrol early mornings at the farm was an everyday occurrence. Barbara was blessed to find her biological family later in life. She was acquainted with a first cousin, Paquita Rupp, of Washington and learned all about her maternal side. A couple of years ago she discovered her biological father’s side and found out that she had three half brothers named Richard, Don, and Ron Cecil. Don and Ron were delighted to find an older sister after having just lost their older brother Richard. Barbara was able to finally meet her brothers and families in person in Kansas and looked forward to her calls from Don. Barbara is survived by her children: Laird Thomas (Pati), Becky Jackson (Frank), Joe Thomas (Anna), and Ellen Bartholomew (Brian). She’s also survived by her grandchildren: Omar, Tariq, and Aziza Syed, Ayesha Lamons, Caitlin Thomas, Daniel, Emily, and Cody Bartholomew, Jennifer Goodwin, Adam Smith and Alisha Neuenschwander. She is survived by 9 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Richard Cecil, and stepson Brian Smith. A memorial for Barbara Smith will be at the Thomas Farm near Fleming, Colorado in the late spring or early summer among her flower gardens and a notice will be posted regarding the memorial plans.

Barbara A. Smith

December 18, 2024