Barbara Godfrey Smith

Smith, Barbara Godfrey, 89, of St. Petersburg, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at St. Anthony's hospital. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on June 12, 1927 to the late Edward and Georgia Godfrey. She was the youngest and last survivor of their four children. She is predeceased by her brother Joseph Godfrey, and sisters, Janet Cronin and Jean Tyner. She graduated from Rollins College and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Her father was an executive with General Motors Corporation and she met her husband Bert in Detroit. They were married on September 29, 1951 and enjoyed 48 years together until his passing in 1999. The couple moved to St. Petersburg in 1953 when Mr. Smith bought the local Oldsmobile dealership. She and her husband had three children - sons Chris and Bert, and daughter Kim. Later additions included three grandchildren, none of whom could pronounce her name when they were young, so she became known as "Bob" to them. Over the years "Barbara" turned into "Bob" for all family members. Bob loved her grandchildren, and the mere mention of any of their names, particularly in the last years of her life, would put an extra sparkle in her eye and spring in her step. She was also an animal lover and received great joy from the family member pets. Barbara was very active in the St. Petersburg community and enjoyed and devoted much of her time and resources to several local charities. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church for many years where she served on the church Guild. She was especially fond of her church's Memorial Garden, her "pet project", to which she was a dedicated steward. She was also a member of the St. Petersburg Junior League, Vinoy Club, Squires Club, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Snowmass Club, and Racquet Club. She loved tennis, playing the sport for many years, and would always watch Wimbledon and the other major tennis tournaments - those were her Super Bowls. Barbara was passionate about the arts and heavily involved with her beloved Florida Orchestra and Museum of Fine Arts, serving on the Board of the Museum for many years. She and her husband loved to travel and took trips to Russia, went ballooning in France, and trekked across Europe on the Orient Express. She shared her husband's love of the great American West and spent many summers in Colorado. In her later years when she was no longer able to travel, she would frequently talk about the Rockies and the wonderful fresh mountain air, beautiful wildflowers, and cool weather. Colorado was truly her sanctuary from the Florida heat. She is survived by two of her three children, son Bert Smith (Margaret) and daughter Kim Smith, having lost son Chris to cancer ten years ago. Grandchildren include Bert and Margaret's son Alexander Smith, and Kim's children - son Justin Chatham and daughter Barbara Chatham. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara's honor to First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg or online at www.memorial-donations.org. visit Barbara's online guestbook at www.AndersonMcQueen.com