Saluda, SC

Norma Geraldine Bell Smith Barefield

Norma Geraldine Bell Smith Barefield passed peacefully at the Spartanburg home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Greg Mack, on April 12, 2022. She was the daughter of pioneers, Clara Stauble Bell and Howard Bell, having been born on the plains in Eldorado, 0klahoma in 1928. At the age of eleven, she and her parents were forced by the ravages of the Dust Bowl to move to Pleasanton, Texas to forge a new life. During high school, she excelled and was Valedictorian of her class of 1946. A year before graduation, she and her friends met several Navy sailors, one of whom became her husband, Ivy Smith, Junior. They married June 3, 1946, when World War II ended. They moved to South Carolina so Ivy could complete his Clemson degree and she could obtain a degree from Draughon's School of Business.

In 1954, they moved to Saluda, SC where she lived until a year ago. She distinguished herself as a dedicated leader and active community member. At Red Bank Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School for over 50 years and served on many church committees. She also led the Saluda High School Band Boosters, was a founding member of the Saluda Arts Council, and staffed election polling stations. She also served as treasurer for the Garden Club of Saluda. She was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow Girls followed by a lifetime membership in the Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Grand Matron as well as District Deputy. Over the years, she served as a substitute teacher in the Saluda County schools, and in 1980, she was selected as the Administrative Assistant for Saluda County Superintendent Boyce Todd. During her tenure in the Saluda School District 1 District office, she mastered South Carolina's emerging computer accounting systems and managed all the financial audits for the school district.

Her dedication to her family, friends, and community was vitally important throughout her life. After 12 years of widowhood, she rekindled a high school friendship that evolved into a second marriage with Jim Barefield that spanned almost 20 years until his passing in 2015. As time and dementia robbed her of her keen memory, she remained close in spirit to her Tuesday and Wednesday bridge club friends of over 60 years. Her pride and joy centered on her family which included her three daughters - Cynthia Smith Forrest, the late Charlene Smith Burton, and Sharon Smith Mack followed by the additions of granddaughters, Meagan Burton-Krieger and Catherine Mack, grandson Will Mack, and two-year-old great granddaughter, Clara Burton-Krieger. She treasured Chuck Burton, Mini Major, Greg Mack, and Eric Burton-Krieger as loving family. Her nieces Janet Clark, Judy Alexander, Rhonda Anthony, Susie Brown, and Sandy Laskowski were always dear to her. Norma is survived by step daughters Robbie Brossa, the late Johnnye Barefield, and stepson James Barefield. She also loved her wonderful caretakers Pearl Sims, and Sam Hawkins and the late Betty Thomas, Frances Robinson, and Sylvia Helms,. A special thanks to the Agape Hospice teams in Saluda and—Chantel, Allie, Kira, and Ashley for their care and support.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Red Bank Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger, Rev. Dan Griffin and Rev. Jonathan Deal officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Red Bank Baptist Church, 309 East Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138 and the Saluda Band Boosters, c/o Saluda High School, 160 Ivory Key Road, Saluda, SC 29138