Barbara Jean Smith

Barbara Jean Smith CHESTER, Vt. — Barbara Jean Smith, 83, passed unexpectedly on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at her home in Chester, Vermont. She was born Dec. 12, 1936, in Bellows Falls, Vermont, the daughter of Carl and Marion (Fair) Blake. On May 18, 1956, she married Herbert “Bud” Batchelder; he predeceased her. She later married Elmer Smith; he also predeceased her. Barbara was a homemaker and devoted mother to her four children. She loved maintaining her flower gardens and her yard. She enjoyed her 50-year career as a housekeeper to many properties in the area, retiring just four years ago and passing along her clients to her daughter-in-law, January. Barbara enjoyed many hobbies, including playing piano, writing poetry, painting ceramic figures, woodburning, needlepoint, embroidery, patchwork quilting baby blankets and handmade Halloween costumes. She enjoyed shopping trips to the local thrift stores in Chester and Londonderry. She loved to decorate for the holidays and enjoyed planning a yearly family gathering. She also enjoyed collecting Native American memorabilia, bald eagle memorabilia, and anything with an American flag. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. In her younger years, she enjoyed running, doing aerobics, ice skating and going out dancing. She was a lifelong, dedicated member of the American Legion Post 67 Women’s Auxiliary. Barbara is survived by her son, Roy Batchelder and wife Carol of Rockingham, Vermont; her son, Jason Smith and wife January of Chester, Vermont; her daughter, Rohanda Batchelder; 13 grandchildren, Tara, Jenny, Chris, Jarod, June, Nick, Hailey, Buddy, Ashely, Shaina, Brittney, Brandon and Jaxon; siblings, Carrie, Linda, Gerald and Clifford. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; her oldest son, Rodney Batchelder; and her siblings, Opal, Peggy, Nancy, Alberta, Betty, Joanna, Gene, Herold, Raymond and Carl. Services are postponed at this time Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.