Barbara Presley Smith

Barbara Presley Smith passed away peacefully in her home on November 2, 2024. She was born Halloween 1929 in her Grandmother’s house, at the corner of Henderson and 70th St in Cedar Grove. A force of nature, she raised four children on her own, while working full-time as a welfare caseworker at the Office of Family Support, and teaching Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church. A brilliant woman ahead of her time, Barbara accepted everyone for who they were, rather than judging based on social prejudices. A fierce defender of righteousness, as a child, she beat up a larger, older white boy who would not stop bullying an African-American girl. Deeply compassionate, Barbara also helped many of her contemporaries to accept their lesbian and gay kin. She modeled courage and unconditional love for her family, friends and community. 

Barbara Smith was a fun-loving adventurer, always up for a good time, and not afraid to break a few rules. A sparkling wit, she was famous for her Christmas parties, and festively decorated her home and herself for every holiday and occasion, including all LSU and Saints games. She loved working in her garden, which overflowed with flowers, fairies, and angels. A lover of the Arts, Barbara was a voracious reader, particularly enjoying poetry and historical fiction, and enthusiastically raised her voice in song, regardless of her inability to carry a tune. Playing cards was a favorite pastime, and she played to win. Deeply beloved, Barbara was genuine every minute of her life, and did not know a stranger, making everyone feel welcomed and valued. She had a zest for life: at the end, she wanted to go back to the beginning and live it all over again. 

Preceding her in death were her mother, Mary Jennie Presley, father, Tom Presley, sisters, Hazel and Faye Carrol and granddaughter Mary Jennie Goldman. She is survived by her children, Gene Smith, Mary Cissy Majebé, Susan Shenfeld (Sherwin) and Barbara Genia Smith (Becky Burks), and her grandchildren, Chip Smith, Genia Michaela, Patrick Goldman, Terry Smith, Matthew Goldman, Tracy Smith, Christopher Smith-Burks, and Tony Streetman. She also leaves behind daughter-in-law, Linda May Smith, cousin, Jaynee Daniel, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, caregivers, and friends of her heart, all of whom are deeply grateful for Barbara having blessed their lives. 

A memorial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. A visitation will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Price Harris.