Barbara N. Smyer

Born to the late Harry W. and Freddie Mae Nelson on September 30,1939, Barbara attended Yonkers Public Schools. Always talented, with an eye and love for fashion, Barbara graduated from Commerce High School in 1957 with a major in dressmaking and a scholarship to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City before obtaining a degree in Fine Arts from Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY in 1979.

Barbara married Terry R. Smyer of Yonkers, NY on May 25, 1962 and of this union they had a daughter, Akim Renee.

Barbara's career was as varied as her interests. Her first job as a seamstress at a local dress factory was followed by her marriage and work with a local dressmaker. After graduating, she worked as a calligrapher at Walker Studios in Yonkers, NY, a Bank Teller with Chemical Bank prior to retiring early from the Westchester County Department of Social Services as an Eligibility Examiner in the Mt. Vernon District Office. Barbara, the consummate creative with an eye for detail, enjoyed anything design related. She would binge watch HGTV & This Old House before binging was a thing. Sketching, drawing, jewelry making, sewing, knitting and crocheting were just a few of her many talents. Barbara was also a huge Salsa fan. In her spare time she loved puzzles, playing bid whist, spades & Pokeno with family and friends. The Super Mario bros fan & also loved computer games, reading, tending to her plants and spending time with her family.

Barbara will truly be missed by many. She is survived by her youngest sister Fredricka (Joseph) Randall of the Bronx, NY.

Daughter Akim (Anthony) Campbell, four grandchildren, Veniece (Louis), Anthony Jr. (Annie), Makai & Taylor Campbell, three great grandchildren, Yasmine, Celina & Aneesa.

cousins; Arthur (Juanita) Gill, Brenda E. Johnson, Ronald "Ronnie" (Betty) Manning, Stephen "Pete" (Wanda) Johnson, Claudia Ramey, Lenore Soto, Joanie (Charles) Miller.

1 niece, Kwafi (Alexander) Gray, 3 nephews: Kwame (Khadijah) Randall and Kareem (Shaneta) Randall and Duncan Nix. 16 grand nieces & nephews and a host of family and friends remain to find comfort in their memories in celebration of the life and times of Barbara.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents Harry & Freddie, her sisters Mary N. Aiken, Dorothy L. Nelson and Audrey N. Dessesaure, aunts; Hazel Johnson, Ruth Braxton, Versie J. Webb & Dorothy Gill. uncles; Steven Webb, George and Arthur Nelson and Arthur Gill, Sr., cousins; Frederick Gill, Robert Nelson, George (Busty) Webb, Novella Nelson and Sandra, James II, James III & Yvette King & Danita M. Gill.

A visitation for Barbara will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. A prayer service will occur Friday, September 17, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. An interment will occur Friday, September 17, 2021 from 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 50 Jackson Ave. & Saw Mill River Road, Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whalenandballfh.com for the Smyer family.