Barbara Ann Foston Smith was born in Milledgeville, Georgia on Friday, December 6, 1940, to the parentage of the late Ed Foston, Jr. and Arline Jones Foston. She was the first daughter and fourth child of eleven children.

Barbara attended school, helped her mother and father with her younger siblings and kept to the house and helped with the family farm. She learned at an early age how to cook, clean and care for all the children.

In 1964, she was joined in matrimony to the love of her life, the late Jessie Smith Sr., until his death in 1992. To this union, she gave birth to three children, Jessie, Justina and Colette.

Barbara joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age - the same church where she attended school. She remained a faithful member until her health declined. As a diligent member, she served in the Choir Ministry and as a Deaconess.

She was such a loving wife, mother, sister, auntie and especially a grandmother affectionately known as Baba. Everyone who knew her loved her! She loved to show her love by cooking big meals and baking cakes and pies. Barbara loved to keep her grands, nieces and nephews and spoil them before sending them back home!

Barbara was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Eddie Lee Foston, Joseph Foston (Bernice), Marion Foston, Geraldine Foston Wright (Alvin), Brenda Joyce Foston Ingram.

Our beloved Queen is survived by her three children, Jessie Smith, Jr. (Audra), Lady Justina Smith Washington (Pastor Kelvin) and Colette Smith Taylor; grandchildren, Antonio Smith, Kelvetra Hawkins, Raynard Washington, Antario Taylor, Anrico Taylor, Dean Taylor, Jessica Smith, Kiya Smith; sisters, Cora Foston, Mae Dickson, Linda Anderson (Wendell); brothers, Marvin Foston (Debbie), John Foston (Gwendolyn); a devoted nephew Oscario Ingram (Rylee); Sixteen great grandchildren, one great-great grand and another one on the way; one sister-in-law, Ada Foston; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends survive her.

Barbara Ann Foston Smith was the epitome of what a beautiful Woman of God represented. It was not about her physical appearance, for her true beauty came from her character, her integrity, strength, love and compassion - but moreover she loved God.