Barbara Ruth Gresham Smith, 79
March 22, 1946 – October 7, 2025
Barbara Ruth Gresham Smith, age 79, departed her walk with this earthly world, and entered into her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at her home in Myrtle, surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral services honoring Mrs. Barbara’s life will be at 2 PM Friday, October 10, 2025, in the Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care, with visitation from 11 AM until time of service. Bro. Charles Cooper will officiate, and burial will follow in Gerizim Cemetery.
Born March 22, 1946, in Etta, Mississippi, Mrs. Barbara was the daughter of the late Quincy Leroy and Jewel Dean Roberts Gresham. She was a proud graduate of Myrtle High School, and in 1966, married her beloved husband, Mr. Jessie Smith, Jr. For fifty-nine years, the two planted their roots in the Union County community, raising four children and building a lifetime of cherished memories. Until her retirement, Mrs. Barbara worked faithfully as a factory worker and later in the cafeteria at Myrtle School, where her kind smile was known by many. Yet her greatest accomplishment was that of her family, whom she so proudly loved and raised with strong Christian values.
A devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a member of First Pentecostal Church in New Albany, Mrs. Barbara was a Proverbs 31 lady. She possessed a servant’s heart, always placing the needs of others before her own. She was a faithful wife to her husband, a loving mother to her children, and a caring “Granny” to her much-adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Barbara lived a simple, yet full life, finding joy in the things that brought her peace and laughter. Whether it was trips to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, playing a good game of Bingo, watching her favorite game shows, or listening to the sweet sounds of classic country music, she embraced each day with gratitude for life’s blessings.
To know Mrs. Barbara was to know kindness, warmth, and love. Her home was always open, her heart always giving, and her presence always comforting. She will be deeply missed by her family and countless friends, but we take comfort in knowing she is safely at rest in the arms of her Savior. Her legacy is one of love, faith, and service—a woman who cared for others the way God calls us to, keeping her door open to anyone in need and living her life as an example of how we are meant to love people.
In addition to her beloved husband of 59 years, Mr. Jessie, memories will continue to be cherished by two daughters, Jennifer Bishop, and Paula Braddock (Damon), one son, James David Smith (Teresa), thirteen grandchildren, along with a host of great and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.
Those waiting to welcome her into Heaven include her son, Jessie Dewayne Smith, one sister, Charlotte Smithey, and four brothers, Bobby, Jimmy, Terry, and Eddie Gresham.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Colt Smith, Corey Smith, Christopher Smith, Cody Smith, Lane Bishop, and Joe Smith.
New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care invites you to share memories with Mrs. Barbara’s family.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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Visitation
Friday
October 10, 2025
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care (West Bankhead)
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Funeral Service
Friday
October 10, 2025
2:00 PM
Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care (West Bankhead)
