November 20, 1926 – March 24, 2019
Barbara was born on November 20, 1926 in Los Angeles, CA to Ellis and Dorothy McNear. Later her family relocated to Fresno, CA where Barbara attended elementary school, concluded her education at Fresno State, and raised her family.
A fun fact that Barbara loved to share was that her uncle, Howard McNear, was Floyd the Barber on The Andy Griffith Show.
In her later years, Barbara enjoyed giving back to her community by offering her time by volunteering. While living in Fresno, she’d often be found at Holiday Boutique and Valley Children’s Hospital. In 2009, when Barbara moved to Turlock, CA to be closer to family, she continued volunteering at Emanuel Medical Center and Covenant Care at Home Hospice. Most recently and perhaps her most favorite volunteer work took place at her granddaughter’s dental office where, even at the age of 92, she shredded papers and highlighted the appointment book.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Ellis and Dorothy McNear, her brother Warren McNear, and her son-in-law Dr. Gary Daley.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy Daley, her son Todd Smith (Jane), her grandchildren Kaci Kuykendall (Dustin), Craig Sims, Sam Smith, and Paul Smith, and her great-grandchildren Baron, Ellis, and Blythe Kuykendall.
We thank you all for loving Barbara. She was an amazing listener and cherished those who wanted to share their stories with her. A private Celebration of Life gathering will take place at a later time.
Please share your memories at www.Allenmortuary.com.
Donations can be made in Barbara’s name to Jessica’s House and/or Alexander Cohen Hospice House.
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Madeline and Jim Sheldon says
April 9, 2019 at 10:08 pmBarbara Mc Near Smith was our neighbor for many years at the Empress Apartments in Fresno. Our day to day interactions were always fun and joyful. She liked to kid us. We always had a good laugh.
We had countless gatherings of neighbors and enjoyed the good life together.
We admired her so much.
DeeAnn Palmer says
April 8, 2019 at 11:26 pmI love Aunt Barbara. She was so kind and thoughtful. Barbara’s sence of humor was one of her very special attributes. I always went away from a conversation lifted from laughter and her caring words. What a joy it was to be with her. She raised two incredible children who have worked hard at following in Christ footsteps. Like their mother, they have given hours of help, support and laughter to those in need. Thank you Aunt Barbara for all your birthday cards all these many years, each one having a special thoughtful note inside. Thank you for your loving example. I know your graduation to the next life will bring you great joy for you have earned it.
Cissy Van Vleet says
April 7, 2019 at 7:30 pmI remember working many shifts at Holiday Boutique with Bobbe. We had so much fun laughing and telling stories about our kids. She always had a smile to share with everyone. I will miss her.
W. Scott McNear says
April 6, 2019 at 7:05 pmThat which is truly spiritual must light the path to God. Aunt Barbara has been a bright and caring aunt to me for over 70 years. Her tone of voice, laughter and patience became more appreciated as time advanced. Her birthday cards and well wishes to me as a child were much appreciated then and more so now. She had deeds of caring and an appreciation of humor. I am sure that she will be greeted with well wishes as she beginning of a new stage in the spiritual education of her soul as she advances through countless, infinite, spiritual worlds on its journey towards the Creative Force. I will miss my phone calls with her over the last few years as she helped me appreciate the hidden humor of life. Always a smile in her voice.