Josephine Smith

After 78 full and wonderful years with family and friends, Josephine "Jo" Barker Smith, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 22, 2011 at the Villages of Wilkes. A woman of exceptional faith, she devoted her life to her family as well as praying for and comforting others. She was born July 21, 1932 in Grassy Creek, North Carolina to the late James Avery and Jestine Stuart Barker. Jo lived in Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia for many years prior to returning to Ashe County, NC. For the past 15 years she and her husband Leonard had made North Wilkesboro, NC their home. Jo was an active member of Welcome Home Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro. Among her many talents Jo enjoyed ceramics, sewing, flower gardening and quilting. She was a member of the High Country Quilting Guild in West Jefferson and later the Wilkes County Quilting Guild in North Wilkesboro. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Chester, Gilbert, Robert, and Roger Barker and sister, Nannie Barker Johnston. Jo is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Leonard Glenn Smith, son Richard L. "Rick" Smith and wife Doris; daughter Vicky Aiken and husband Mike; four grandsons, Tyler and Ryan Smith, Andrew and Avery Aiken. Two sisters, Magdalene Phipps and Ruby Brooks, Sisters-in-law Allison Barker and Marie Barker. Brother-in-law Richard Neal Smith and wife Elizabeth, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service in celebration of Jo's life will be held Friday, March 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Welcome Home Baptist Church, 132 Welcome Home Church Road, North Wilkesboro, NC by Rev. Jeff Collins and Rev. Charles Edwards. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Welcome Home Baptist Church building fund. Our family cannot express the depth of our appreciation for the loving care and kindness received from the staff at the Villages of Wilkes for the past five months.