Barbara Nell Alexander Smart came into this world on September 22, 1942, in Lake Charles, LA. She passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024 at her home in Camden, AR, surrounded by her family. Barbara lived in Moss Point, MS as a child, then moved to Camden in 1954 with her family. A proud graduate of Fairview High School, class of 1960, Barbara went on to study English at Henderson State Teachers College. While there, she reconnected with her high school friend John Thomas (Tom) Smart. They were married on September 11, 1964, and celebrated 60 wonderful years together. They were blessed with four children, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with a third on the way. Their life adventure took them to Fayetteville, AR, Sulphur, LA, and Houston, TX before they returned to Camden in 1980. Barbara was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, homemaker, entrepreneur, historian, and much more, but she was most proud to be called a Christian. Barbara was raised at Fairview Methodist Church, where she made Jesus her Lord and Savior. She was also a long-time member of Cullendale First Baptist Church, where she served as the church cook for many years. She loved being in the kitchen, cooking her family favorites, and blessing others with a warm meal made with loving hands. Barbara was also an herbalist and a gardener, a member of the Camden Garden Club, and the South Arkansas Garden Club. She loved hosting parties and meetings to show off the flower gardens and herb beds she cultivated. She also loved teaching others about her love of cooking and her love of herbs, and she wrote a cookbook for her family to enjoy as well as a booklet about her favorite herbs. Barbara also loved antiques and was interested in preserving history, whether it be family history, or the history of her town, county, state, or country. She was a member of the Ouachita County Historical Society, and she did research all over the state for the Arkansas Historical Preservation Society. Barbara was a seasoned traveler, and she and her husband, Tom, enjoyed taking many trips all over the U.S. Barbara was always ready with a word of wisdom, a warm hug, or a quick meal of comfort food. Her easy smile and gentle spirit put everyone who met her at ease. Her infectious laughter and quick wit made her fun to be around. Her passing leaves a hole in the hearts of those who love her, but we know she is with the Lord, and we will see her again.

Barbara leaves behind the love of her life, Tom Smart, and four children: Tommy Smart (Audrey) of Southaven, MS, Alexia Smart Harvey (John) of Bixby, OK, Vicki Smart Knight (Larry) of Camden, and Matthew Smart (Elizabeth) of Wake Village, TX. Twelve grandchildren: Nicole (Christopher), Jonathan (Emily), Ethan, Kathryn (Eric), Alex, Madeline (Caleb), Jackson (Alexandria), Olivia (A.J.), Isabella, Julia, Sophia, and Samuel. Two great-grandchildren: Ally and Caden, and a baby girl on the way. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Hattie Alexander Curtis (Roger) and her brother William "Bill" Rhodes Alexander, and many friends and extended family who love her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, Levis and Ruby Nell Alexander, her parents-in-law, John and Pearl Smart, and two brothers, Levis Alexander, Jr., and Jack Alexander.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 12 from 11am to 1pm at Proctor Funeral home in Camden, AR. The funeral is Sunday, October 13 at 2pm, at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ouachita County Historical Society or Cullendale First Baptist Church.