Jean Avery Barber Smith

Jean Avery Barber Smith passed away peacefully at her home on her 91st birthday, July 6, 2013. Born on July 6, 1922, in Winthrop, Massachusetts, Jean was an Army brat, the daughter of Col. Frank Exley Barber and Doris Avery Barber, who traveled extensively with her family in her youth.

She lived for three years at Ft. Clayton, Panama, where she had many adventures playing with tarantulas, swimming in shark-infested waters, dodging poisonous snakes and exploring the jungle on her Panamanian pony, Laddie. On one voyage returning to the U.S. on leave, she and her parents were caught in the path of a hurricane and blown hundreds of miles off course.

After the family returned to the US, Jean attended Pomona College in Claremont, CA and then the Univ. of Texas at Austin, completing 2 years of college.

While living in Austin, Jean met her beloved husband, architect Harvey P. Smith, Jr., in San Antonio, Texas, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend of their grandmothers. Jean and Harvey married in Orlando, FL, on Aug. 22, 1942, where Mr. Smith, a lieutenant in the Air Force, was stationed. After the war, Jean and Harvey made their home in San Antonio where Harvey joined his father's architectural firm.

Jean settled down to creating a loving and carefully-run home and raising the couple's three daughters. Jean also served in a number of civic and charitable organizations, including the Junior League of SA and the Battle of Flowers Assn.

Jean's greatest love was for her church--First Presbyterian--where she was an active and devoted member for 64 years, serving as a deacon, circle member, church Godmother, President of the Women of the Church and in many other capacities.

Jean was blessed with many talents: In her youth she was an avid horseback rider, golfer and camper. She was also an accomplished letter writer, needlewoman, pianist, clear-headed organizer, and diligent student of anthropology and the Bible.

Her life was characterized by loyalty, courage, generosity, patience and service to others. She had the rare ability to be a compassionate listener, and never would she reveal a confidence. Above all, was love - for her friends, her family and her God.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Col. Frank Exley Barber and Doris Avery Barber; her husband of 51 years, Harvey Partridge Smith, Jr., and her daughter, Rebecca Jo Patton.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Smith Warren and husband, Richard; daughter, Lizbeth Smith-Leach and husband, Ray Leach; son-in-law, Frank Patton and wife, Jacque; granddaughter Amy Grammer and husband, Andrew; granddaughter, Kate Olivarez, and husband Kevin; granddaughter, Rebecca Leach; grandson, Christopher Leach; cousin Lucie Chapman Rathert; great grandchildren, Abigail and Caleb Grammer, Claire, Daniel and Jolee Olivarez; and, numerous dear friends.

To her many devoted friends who cheered her spirits with phone calls, visits, food, flowers and hundreds of cards, her family expresses deep gratitude. Her family is especially grateful to Jean's devoted housekeeper of 30 years, Rosa Navarro, who in the last three years became her caregiver; and to Rosa's daughter, Rosie Esparza, who also assisted Jean.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY

JULY 15, 2013

11:00 AM

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

404 NORTH ALAMO

Rev. Dr. Louis Zbinden and Rev. Rich Lounsbery officiating.

Honorary pallbearers: Boo Hausser, Bob Hausser, Bill Ruhmann, Ross Laughead and Ralph Lehr.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Harvey P. Smith, Jr./Rebecca Smith Patton Memorial Scholarship Fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Becky Patton Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.