Barbara (Blaine) Smith

Barbara Blaine Smith

Barbara Blaine Smith died peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2017 at her residence in Greensboro, GA at the age of 80.  Barbara was born in New Orleans, LA on August 23, 1937 to the late James Garfield Blaine, Jr. and Adele Marie Gaspard Blaine.  She attended Metarie Park Country Day School. In 1959, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a Minor in Anthropology, at Newcomb College, Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and in 1975; she earned a Teacher Certification from the University of New Orleans.  She was a happy homemaker for many years, serving in Garden Club and as PTA President for her children’s school.  She earned her Masters of Social Work from the Southern University of New Orleans in 1996 all while battling and surviving cancer of the larynx. She was very devoted to the welfare of children and worked as a Child Welfare Specialist for the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Services in New Orleans, LA until her retirement in 2004.  Upon retiring, she joined her family in Greensboro, GA where she became a member of Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church.

Barbara Smith spent thirty-four years as a devoted daughter of the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church, serving twice as Regional Minister of the St. Joan of Arc Province in New Orleans. She served as Formation Director for the San Damiano Fraternity in Athens, GA and was a mentor to the Fraternity until her death. Barbara was also commissioned as spiritual advisor for the brothers and sisters of the St. Francis Region.  

Barbara was a proud member of the Osage Nation and served on the Board of the Red Cloud Indian School. She was an example of kindness, humility and charity to her family and all who knew her. 
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Pierre Armas Blaine and Elaine Blaine Conrad. She is survived by two daughters, Claire Marie Thornton and Stephanie Elise Smith; son, James Alexander “Jamie” Smith; three grandchildren, Jonathon Edward Bowman, Elise Nicole Blasingame, Jack Edward Lievsay; three great grandchildren, Hailey Grace Bowman, Ariella Bowman and Kylah Jaye Bowman; other relatives and many friends.

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church in Greensboro, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church.  McCommons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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