Princetin, MO: Barbara Odelia (Frankovich) Smith, 87, Princeton, Mo., passed away on Friday, February 4th, 2022 at her home in Princeton, Mo.
Barbara was born on June 19, 1934 to Nick and Francis Frankovich. Barbara grew up with her nine siblings; Nick, John, Angie, Joe, Mary, Clara, Phylis, Paul and Jim in Manistique, Michigan.
After graduation, she moved to Great Falls, Montana with her sister where she met Robert Smith of Ridgeway, Mo. In 1956, she married Robert Smith in San Francisco, California. The two started their family by welcoming their first daughter, Michelle in 1958, daughter, Janell in 1959, son, Robert in 1961, daughter, Carolyn in 1968, and daughter, Lisa in 1970. The couple and their young family returned to Ridgeway, Mo., in 1970 where they lived for the majority of her life.
Barbara worked at Head Start in Ridgeway and later Bethany, Mo., for thirty-seven years and cared for hundreds of children. She knew every nursery rhyme, story and song that any child could ever want to hear. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but she was known and loved as “grandma” by several bonus grandchildren too. Grandma Barb enjoyed watching any and all ball games and cheering on the kids she loved. Barbara always had a joke to crack and a smile on her face. She was especially happy when she was gambling, playing bingo or drinking a diet coke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Smith; daughters, Janell Smith and Michelle Smith; and grandchildren, Kelsey Purdun and Robert (Robbie) Smith.
She is survived by her son, Robert Smith; daughters, Carolyn (Troy) Purdun, Lisa (Rob) Cornett; grandchildren, Anna (Shawn) Muselman, Abby Darnell, Vance (Morgan) Purdun, Morgan Smith, Gunnar Cornett, Rylan (Brant) Faulkner, Addison Cornett, Kasen Purdun, Brooklyn Cornett, and Jaden Purdun; great-grandchildren, Robert Muselman, Sadie Muselman, and Kade Smith.
Mass of Christian Burial was February 8 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bethany, Mo. under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, Mo. Burial in the Yankee Ridge Cemetery, Ridgeway, Mo.
Memorials may be made to the Yankee Ridge Cemetery for new fencing in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, Mo. 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com