Barbara G. Smith

Barbara G. Smith, age 79 formerly of Ocean Springs and a resident of Hattiesburg, passed away September 3, 2012 in Hattiesburg.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Iris Byrd; her grandparents; and her two year old brother.
Barbara's mother was the only one of 7 children to receive a high school diploma. Her father had been forced to be a field slave with his 7 brothers on his parents' farm until his father's death. Barb and her brother had been born in the slave quarters.
As a child Barb had polio and was crippled until age 9. Her family had no place to live until after Pearl Harbor. Her father was transported to a shipyard by the government, where he made one dollar a day, and her mother made 25 cents at a Beauty Shop. After the war ended, her father became a carpenter. Her parents saved every penny for Barb's education. She attended Lopez school and later Howard II School. She went on to attend Biloxi High School, graduating in 1951 and from USM in 1954. She taught in Moss Point, MS, Miami, FL. She then moved to Long Island, NY, where she married James L. Guernsey, Ph.D.
Barb's mother remained on the Gulf Coast, becoming blind and deaf. Barb returned to take care of her until her death and remained in Ocean Springs until Katrina destroyed her house. She then moved to Hattiesburg and lived alone.
Visitation will be from 12:45 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Biloxi. The graveside service will follow at 2:00p.m. at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.