Barbara Jean Smith, age 76, passed away at Rose Vista Nursing Home on April 30, 2025.
Barbara was born Nov. 27, 1948, in Council Bluffs, to Fred and Dorothy (Marr) Hollinger. She was the third born out of eight siblings and one stepsibling.
Barbara found love and married her first husband Richard (Dick) McClelland Sr. in 1969, to this union they had one son, Richard Jr., born in 1970. Dick suddenly passed away in 1977. Barbara met Paul Smith Sr., the two married in 1979, and they had one son, Paul Smith Jr., born in 1979. Together they raised the two boys that would become great men, husbands and fathers which made her very proud.
After Paul passed away in 2005, Barbara lived with Rich. In 2022, Rich married Misty and the two helped care for Barbara until she moved to Rose Vista Nursing Home in December 2024.
Barbara worked many jobs during her lifetime, Dallas Greenhouse, Blue Star Foods, Frito Lay, Terminal Pack, Future Foam and lastly as a Crossing Guard for Longfellow Elementary School in Council Bluffs. She worked at the 23rd Avenue crossing, which was one of the busiest crossings in Council Bluffs. She fought hard and finally got approved to have a safety crosswalk light installed to help the kids have a safer place to cross.
In Barbara’s free time she enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards, and BBQs with all the family. She especially loved making blankets for the new babies in the family and Easter baskets for all the children.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her sons, Richard (Misty) McClelland and Paul (Christine) Smith; brothers, John (Judy) Hollinger, Doug (Paula) Hollinger and Bobby (Lynn) Hollinger; grandchildren, Brynna Jean Smith, Connor Paulson Smith, Brandon Gill, Amanda Berg, Krystal Jones; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husbands, Richard McClelland Sr. and Paul Smith Sr.; parents, Fred and Dorothy Hollinger; brothers, Fred, Terry, James, Charles Hollinger, and William Hack; sister Dorothy May; and many in-laws.
Services were conducted on May 5, 2025, at Hennessey Funeral Home.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences, www.hennesseyonline.com.
