Mrs. Barbara Walker Smith, 74 transitioned on Thursday, March 9, 2023 in Winston Salem, NC. Mrs. Smith was born in Winston Salem, NC on November 6, 1948, to Willie Walker and Rosa Brown Walker. She was a student at Paisley High School and Anderson High School class of 1967 and also attended Forsyth Technical College. She retired from AT&T with 34 years of service. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, where she served on the usher board; She was a part of the Happy Hill Senior Citizens Club and Anderson High School Class of 67. Barbara was the type of person that never met a stranger. She loved to travel and she loved her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard (Elinor) Walker; her grandmother, Beatrice Jeffries and several aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her two children, Stephon (Nina) Walker and Tara Hovis; five grandchildren, Stepvoni (Matthew) Lowery, Jonathan Booker, Justin Walker, Taylor Hovis and Jurnee Clinton; three great grandchildren, Iheem Lowery, Izryn Lowery and Ijypt Lowery; one nephew, Michael Kelly; one great niece, Tammicia Kelly; 6 great-great nieces and nephews; four cousins, Pride Walker, Christine Williams, Richard Thomas, and Jerlyn (Edward) Anthony; and a host of cousins and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Friday, March 17, 2023 at New Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Kendall Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12noon on Friday at the Church.