Her Story

For someone whose voice has filled large venues without being amplified, it sometimes surprises people how gentle-natured and unpretentious Barbara is off the stage.  In fact, her unassuming nature  has led some to underestimate her strengths or neglect her experience.  Those who know her, however, have recognized within her a strength that rises with resolute determination to move forward despite the hurdles she has faced and the discouragement she has experienced. And this is what makes her life journey so intriguing.

   Her passage through life's stages as told here may help to reveal what her modesty withholds.  It is divided into five areas: her commitment to learning; her ambition to excel in the sport of skating; her credited achievements as a singer; her passionate desire to impart her knowledge to others; and her devotion to a spiritual foundation for living.   One needs only to read a portion of her story to get a glimpse of someone who quietly allows any glory to pass by in an effort to exalt her Savior, Jesus Christ, and to encourage others in their faith.

         Barbara's story begins in Canada, in the seaside city of Victoria, BC, where she was born.  Her parents, Rev. Benjamin Smith and wife, Hazel, had pastored Free Methodist churches for over 20 years on the Canadian Prairies but came to this city in 1943 to build a new church on the corner of Cook St. and Balmoral.  Construction was almost completed in early 1948 when Pastor Ben felt called to Southern California to pastor the FM church in Whittier.  With their 8-year old son, Monty, and 9-month old baby girl, Barbara, the family left Canada as their home but never forgot it, returning to Victoria often during summer vacations.