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1945 - March 3, 2014
Barbara Lynn Smith (Knowles)
Barbara Lynn Smith Knowles, 69, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida. She had courageously battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for more than fifteen years.
Survivors include her husband of forty years, Thomas Neil Knowles, daughter Rachel Knowles Azevedo (Joe), and mother Margaret Giebel Smith, all residing in Tallahassee, and three step-children: Catherine Knowles Montpellier (Bob) of Crawfordville, FL; Barbara Knowles Indermitte (Claude) of North Attleboro, MA; and Thomas Michael Knowles (Julie) of Collierville, TN. She took great joy in her ten step-grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by her daughter Lesley Anne Knowles, father Dr. John Sylvester Smith, and brother Dr Roy Harold Smith.
Barbara was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Bloomington High School in Illinois. After receiving a BA in English and history from Bowling Green State University, she resided in Findlay, Ohio where she was a newspaper reporter. Barbara was living in Key West, Florida during the early 1970's when she first met her husband, who had returned to his hometown for a Christmas visit with his parents. She moved to Tallahassee after their marriage and worked at WFSU-TV for several years.
She loved animals of all kinds and cared greatly for the welfare of the poor and afflicted. This compassion was evident in her vigorous support of animal protection and charitable organizations. She was a proactive member of EFFORTS, a non-profit support group for emphysema/COPD patients, and provided many of her fellow members with solace and advice. She was one of a number of Tallahassee citizens who joined together in a grass-roots movement that led to the establishment of the Big Bend Hospice.
Barbara requested that her family and friends remember her in their own way. She asked that anyone desiring to make a memorial donation in her name consider the Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308, EFFORTS (www.emphysema.net/contributions, html or by check to EFFORTS, PO Box 20241, Kansas City, MO 64195-0241) the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center (www.animalshelter foundation. org or by check to Animal Shelter Foundation, Inc. PO Box 13858, Tallahassee, FL 32317) or their favorite charity. A private service will be held at a later date when the ashes of Barbara and those of her daughter Lesley will be interred.
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Patsy Whitecotton (Barggren)
So sorry to hear Barbara suffered so many years with COPD. My sympathy to her family and friend's. She was a high friend and I remember her as a fun and intersting girl. I'm sorry I never got to see her again as I often wondered about her.
James (Andrea) Tischler
I came to know Barbara during our Senior year. She was quiet and mature. I enjoyed our thoughtful and often times serious conversations. I remember most her cynical take on life and subtle sense of humor. She was clever and witty. Over the years my memories of her have been fond ones. I'll miss Barbara. She was a woman with a lot of class.
David Ringler
My deepest condolences to Barbara's family. I remember Barbara as a deep, complex intellect with an astonishing ability to probe with surgical precision into the essence of those around her. She could stir things up, but was not mean or petty, just, well, amused. I should be grateful to be on her right side, she once told me, and then rewarded me with that beautiful Barbara Smith smile. Farewell, Barbara.