Barbara A. Smith
MALVERN — On April 16, 1950, in Malvern, Ark., the late Benjamin Thrower and Pauline Bivens Thrower welcomed into the world their only child, a sweet, kind and sassy baby girl they named Barbara Ann.
On Sept. 9, 2020, Barbara Ann Thrower Smith, left her earthy home and gained her wings. Even though her physical presence no longer graces the earth, her spirit and memory will live strong in her family and all those she met, who eventually became her family of friends — ones she cared for so deeply.
From the time she was a child, Barbara proved that she was a unique individual with an inviting personality and an amazing commitment to whatever she needed to do. She graduated from A.A. Wilson High School in 1968.
Barbara Ann was saved at an early age and was baptized at First Baptist Baptist (FBC) Church Vine Street. Throughout her life, she never wavered in her faith. While living in Hot Springs, she attended Eureka Missionary Baptist Church. She loved the Lord; loved to read His Word and study it. So when she returned to Malvern, she reunited with her childhood church, FBC Vine. She was co-director of the FBC praise dancers, active in Wednesday Night Bible Study and a member of the FBC Senior Fitness Class. Her shining light will be greatly missed by her FBC Vine family.
Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Freddy Smith Sr. The birth of their only son was, perhaps, one of the greatest days of her life. If you knew Barbara, you knew she was very proud of Freddy Jr. And as a high school athlete, Freddy Jr. continued to make his mom proud, and as his greatest fan, she moved mountains to make sure she attended his games. But the pride she had for her son took on a new level when Freddy joined the military. Everyone looked forward to her updates on Freddy Jr. and his family’s military travels and accomplishments.
Her love of sports encompassed not only support of the local volleyball and basketball teams, but she had an astounding love for the UAPB football team.
Barbara Ann was an extremely hard worker and took great pride in any job she held. Her job experiences include working at Timex in Little Rock, Pactiv in Malvern, where she worked for decades; McDonalds in Malvern, where she became the iconic lady at the window with beautiful hair styles and fancy nails; a Foster Grandparent at Head Start, where she showered all the little ones with her love. But her lasting legacy will be the parttime position she held at what she called “the college,” that she literally laughed and talked her way into her position becoming a full-time position as an ambassador for the college.
Survivors include son, Freddie (Tracey) Smith Jr., of Copperas Cove, Texas; her longtime significant other, Swayze Pruitt, of Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren: Mercedez Smith, Chance Smith and Damon Witherspoon, of Killeen, Texas, Jessie Ochoa, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; extended son, Steven Pruitt, of Hot Springs; seven great-grandchildren; aunt, Virginia Young, of Malvern; best “little” friend, Kaydance “Kay Kay” Hart, of Malvern, Ark.; extended family: godparents, Pete (Dorothy) Willis; goddaughter, LaShelle (Earl) Jones; godsister, Jennifer (Jimmy) Cook, all of Malvern, Ark.; two go-dgrandchildren; stepsisters and brothers: Edward Green, Charlie (Brenda) Simpson, Laura (Jimmy) Hunter and Judy (James) Pierce, of Malvern, Ark.; Priscilla Chandler, of Little Rock, and Johnnie (Robin) Simpson, of Dallas, Texas; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
There will be a celebration of life service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at the Bank OZK Stage in the Malvern City Park. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs to ensure seating for everyone. We will be observing all COVID-19 regulations.