Obituary of Barbara Jean Smallwood

Barbara J. Smallwood, 91, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at her home.

She was born April 14, 1931, in Pontiac Michigan, to Delsey Royale and Jessie (Asmus) Welsher.  They moved to Niles Michigan, following her father’s death in 1932.  She graduated from Niles High School in 1949.  She has been a devoted and active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles since 1944 as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Financial Secretary.  She was also a member of the church choir, Tyler Blue Notes, and rang in the church handbell choir.

She married Blair Walter in 1950, and they were blessed with four children before his sudden death in 1956.  She married James Smallwood in 1957, and later added a daughter to their family.  They enjoyed many happy times at the lakefront cottage before his death in 1997.

Barbara is preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Wegner and Margaret Bash, her brothers, Jack and William Welsher, two sons, Kenton Edward Smallwood and Kim Allen Smallwood, grandson, R.J. Barnes and great-grandson, Hayden Kimmerly. 

Survivors include her daughters, Karen (Skip) Muir, Karol (Philip) Mazzotta, and Kaye (Mike) Walker; daughter-in-law, Barbara Smallwood, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and special friend, Don Chapman and family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday November 19^th at the First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. 14^th Street in Niles. Visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.

Barbara loved the color blue.  Her family requests that those who can please wear blue to the service in her honor.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, or to Caring Circle.