Barbara Darlene Smith

Barbara Darlene Smith (87) passed away on January 3, 2026. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Aurora Avenue Bible Church (5 NW Aurora Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313) from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be held at Highland Memory Gardens (1 NE 60th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313).

Barbara (Barb) Smith passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 87.

Barb was born on October 12, 1938, in Des Moines to Clyde and Eleanor See. Barb retired from the Des Moines Public School system in 2003.

She was truly grateful for her family at Aurora Avenue Bible Church, where she enjoyed attending worship. She loved spending time with her family and friends and hosted many gatherings over the years. Her hobbies included crocheting, where she would spend hours making all her grandkids' blankets. She also enjoyed playing bingo!

Although we miss her dearly, we find solace in knowing she will be forever dancing among the stars with her soulmate, Robert.

Barb is survived by her daughters, Lori (Randy) Gist, Lisa (Mark) Donahue, Deana (Doug) Lee; son, William Smith and daughter-in-law, Lee Smith; 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Smith; daughter, Debbie (Maurice) Webb; son, Michael Smith; parents, Eleanor Blossom See and Clyde (Carol) See; sisters, Shirley DeFrancisco, Mary Barrington and Sharon Blanchard.