Barbara Jean Smith

Barbara Jean Smith, 76, of Abilene, went to her Home with the Lord on July 12, 2006. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday at the University Church of Christ, with Wally Bullington and Derrick Bam officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Barbara was born on November 3, 1929 in Roswell, New Mexico to Arthur M. Fleming and Ellon Hare Fleming. She graduated from Roswell High School. Barbara married the "love of her life", Don Smith, on August 28, 1948 in Sedona, Arizona. Don preceded her in death in May of 2002. Her bookkeeping career began at Western Chevrolet with H.S. Higginbotham. After she had children, she kept used car dealers' books at her home. She was Office Manager for Manly Pontiac and Jobe Pontiac. In 1970, she became Office Manager for Arrow Ford, again working for the Higginbothams. After several years, she became the Comptroller for Arrow Ford. Barbara retired in 2005 after 49 years in the car business. She lovingly took care of her family, always putting her needs last. Barbara was well known for her homemade ice cream. She made hundreds of gallons of ice cream for her husbands' teams when he coached at Abilene Christian University. Mother was a wonderful Christian example to all those around her. She was a member of the University Church of Christ. Her surviving family includes: children-Donna Smith Saffel and husband Steve of Abilene, Terry Smith and wife Tess of Euless, Chuck Smith and wife Myra of East Bend, NC, Becky Forrest and husband Phil, Dorthie Saunders, Seaton and wife Carolyn, and Vinson and Karla Higginbotham. Grandchildren: Jim and Brandee Smith Dill, Shannon Smith, Scott and Kelly Smith Fairman, Kayli Smith, Steven Saffel, Jami Smith, Evy Michelle Saffel, Mitzi Smith, Derrick Saunders and Julie Herrick, and Todd Forest. Great-grandchildren: Avery Dill, Tate Dill, Abigail Fairman, Paxton Dill, Morgan Fairman, and Madison Smith. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Chuck and wife Anne Smith of San Angelo and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her family "in heart" includes: Ted and Gloria Sitton, Kevin, Shanna, Blake Connor, Daniel, Mary Grace and Nikki Sherman, Kenneth and Joyce Saffel and family, Vance and Donna Saffel and family, and Lucille, Caleb, and Colby Ernst. She was predeceased by: Father, Arthur M. Fleming; Dad and Mother, Alfred and Ellon Gadberry; brother, Arthur M. Fleming, Jr.; great-grandson, Cooper Dill; nephew, Lee Fleming. Pallbearers will be: Seaton Higginbotham, Vinson Higginbotham, Kevin Sherman, Marvin Schrivner, Dale McDonald, Jerry Jones, Don Cobb, Wayne Walton, and Pat Holder. Honorary pallbearers are: Ted Sitton, K.Y. Owens, Jerry Mullins, Jerry Wilson, Jim Reese, Chris Thomeson, and all former Cooper and ACU football and track athletes. There will be a second family section, at the funeral, for Arrow Ford Employees, ACU athletes and coaches, and the 1950 ACU football team. We would like to thank the doctors who cared for her, the staff at Hendrick Hospice, the nurses and staff on Anderson 5 and the nurses and staff of PCU, and the staff of the Dialysis Unit at Hendricks for the loving care they showed to our Mother. An expression of love to Seaton and Carolyn Higginbotham and Vinson and Karla Higginbotham for the special way they have given their love and taken care of our Mother. She truly considered you her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Don Smith Memorial Fund, ACU Box 27916, Abilene, Texas 79699.