Barbara Martin

Barbara Smith Martin, 65, of 175 Howeland Circle, died Jan. 2, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC, after several years of declining health. Born June 18, 1949 in Omaha, Neb, she was the daughter of the late Donald Cochran Smith and Marianna Palmer Smith. She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Lincoln. In 1969 she was married to George R. Martin, Jr., who survives. She worked over 10 years for Central Virginia Community Services at the Altavista Adult Care Residence until her retirement in 2010. She had been an active volunteer at her children's schools. She was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. She was a great lover of animals and an accomplished horsewoman, showing in 4-H Open and Registered Quarter Horse Shows. In 1965, she won the 4-H Horsemanship trophy for the State of Nebraska at the Nebraska State Fair, competing against several hundred 4-H exhibitors. She later purchased a young Quarter Horse gelding, trained him and won several competitions with him. In addition to her husband of the residence, she is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Martin LaMonica of Danville; one son, Russell W. Martin of Washington, D.C.; one brother, Ronald Bruce Smith and his wife, Chris, of Omaha, Neb; one sister, Nancy Smith Randall and her husband, Mike, of Chilliwack, B.C.; two grandchildren, Luke and Bella LaMonica, both of Danville; her brother-in-law, Edwin Martin of Vinton, Va; and two nieces. The family would like to thank her best friend, Betty Finney, who was by her side when she passed as well as her doctors and nurses at Forsyth Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Becky Crites and the Rev. Dr. Drew Baker officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fellowship Hall in Greensboro, NC. www.fellowshiphall.com.