Barbara Smith

Published 11:45 am Thursday, March 27, 2025

Richmond — Barbara Clayton Smith died peacefully, Monday, March 3, 2025, one day shy of her 91st birthday.She was born March 4, 1934, in Roxboro,

NC, to the late John William Clayton and Mona Frederick Clayton. After graduating from high school, she moved to Raleigh, where she met and married, Walter Howard Smith, an executive with GMAC, on July 14, 1957. In the early years, she moved with Howard as his job required, settling in Washington, NC in 1961, to raise their family. In 1982, one last job transfer moved them to Kinston, NC. They spent the next 20 years there before they returned to Washington until her husband passed away in 2015. Fiercely independent all her life, she packed herself up at 81 years old and moved back to Roxboro to be closer to her brother. She enjoyed 7 years there before her final move to Richmond, VA. “Home” was in her heart, and it traveled with her wherever she was. She leaned on her faith and always had a positive outlook.

A gracious southern lady and by all accounts a peerless extrovert, Barbara had a life well lived and well loved. She never knew a stranger and cherished many friendships during each chapter of her life. She was known for having a curious and adventurous spirit that afforded her a wide range of interests. She was a skilled Bridge player and excellent golfer. She enjoyed all types of needlework and also experimented with painting, ceramics and sculpting over the years. Her real passion and love language was cooking and baking. Barbara had an obsession with cookbooks and recipes. She had a long career as a medical transcriptionist and enjoyed working until she was 79. Though she was a seasoned world traveler, she would tell you some of her favorite memories were spending summers at Topsail Beach or being with family and friends on the Pamlico River.

She was predeceased in death by her husband of 58 years, Howard, and her son, Mark. She is survived by her son Walter Clayton “Clay” Smith (Cindy) of Oley, PA and daughter Tracey Smith Moody (John) of Midlothian, VA; grandchildren Timothy Smith, Danielle Mautz, Christopher Smith, Andrew Smith, Natalie Smith, Paige Moody and Joshua Moody; one great granddaughter, Mileena Mautz, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Clayton. She was predeceased by her siblings “A.W” Clayton, Gail Clayton and Mona Clayton Pass. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 29, 2025, at First Methodist Church 304 W 2nd St. in Washington, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Methodist Church- Barnabas Fund in Washington or Long Methodist Church- CHC Ministry, 226 N Main St. Roxboro NC 27573.