Barbara J. Smart-Smith

Barbara Jane Johnson Smart-Smith departed her earthly life and went to be with Jesus early Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025. She was 90 years old. 

Barbara was born on January 14, 1935, in Morganton, NC, to Charles G. and Alice W. Johnson. She graduated from Morganton High School, and the University of North Carolina Women’s College (now UNCG). Soon after graduation, she married John K. Smart, Jr., and in 1959, when he graduated from law school, they moved to Brevard. 

Together they raised four daughters, traveled extensively, and were part of almost every civic and social organization in Brevard, which was always home. An avid supporter of children and young people, Barbara taught in Transylvania County Schools, and served on the Board of Education. In 1968, she had the vision for, and was founder, teacher and director of the First Baptist Church Weekday Early Education (WEE School) for many years. She was a member of the Jaycettes, the Brevard Wednesday Book Club, several bridge clubs, leader for Girl Scouts and the Christian Student Fellowship at Brevard College, inaugural member of the BHS Band Parents Association, host for foreign exchange students from Japan and France, on the board of directors for the Children’s Center, and worked with at risk mothers and babies through the Welcome Baby program. At First Baptist, she worked in the nursery, taught children’s and adult Sunday School, led Sunbeams, GAs, and Acteens, served as interim Youth Director, created and directed the Puppet Ministry - Partial People, and sang in the choir. She attended every concert, performance, ceremony, competition, game, play, and any other event that her four girls were part of, made all of their wedding dresses, and left an amazing legacy of support!

On her 50th birthday, she went back to graduate school at Western Carolina University and earned her Master’s degree in Counseling. When she was certified, she opened a Christian counseling center and spent years counseling, with a specialty in children’s mental health. 

She was a friend to the friendless, a mother to the motherless, and visitor and listener to the lonely. She delighted in her grandchildren, believed in everybody, was a mentor and encourager, and gave everything she had to make the world a kinder and more lovely place.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Ellen Prince, her husbands, John Smart (1995) and Bill Smith (2005), and her great-granddaughter, Luna Mains.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughters, Cindy Rudd (Ronnie), Susan Pierson (Randy), Rebekah Lafone (Dale), and Margaret Sachsenmaier (David); grandchildren John (Wendy), Christian (Jenny) and Ellie Rudd; Erin Battershell (Adam), Lindsay Mains (Nick), Gordon, Thomas, Claire (Kenneth) and Maggie Pierson; Sarah, Andrew (Kaylee), Daniel (Ashton) and Joshua (Gretchen) Lafone; Will (Julianna), Emma, Ford, Lily, Noah and Lacy Sachsenmaier; great-grandchildren Exie Rudd, Tori, Sadie, Susan, and David Battershell, Olive and Ever Mains, Adaline, Leland, Matthew and Rosie Lafone, and Emerson and Emeri-Faith Lafone; and sister-in-law, Joann Smart. 

A Celebration of the Life of Barbara Smart-Smith will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Brevard, NC. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 PM at the church prior to the service.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Children’s Center of Transylvania County, 95 S. Johnson Street, Brevard, NC 28712.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.