Barbara A (Smith) Upson

Barbara A (Smith) Upson, 80, of Woodbridge, VA, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Barbara was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 31, 1942 to the late Samuel and Leona (Flakes) Smith. Here she was educated in the Philadelphia school system.

In 1965 she moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA. She worked at the RCA factory and later for the Wilkes-Barre police department. 

In 1978 Barbara moved to Maryland. She worked for the National Lutheran Home, a bailiff for the Montgomery County Courts, and later retired from Southern Maryland Hospital as a certified nursing assistant. Barbara was a very active member of Edgewood Baptist Church where she started the nurse’s ministry until she fell ill.

Barbara was loved by many. Her warm spirit, love for people, generosity, and big, bright beautiful smile was everlasting. When you met Barbara, you would never forget her!  She never had a problem sharing scripture to lift your spirits. At work she could be heard humming or singing spirituals in the hallways or in the patient’s room. She was very witty and funny, quick with her comebacks and ready to a crack a joke. Barbara loved her family and anytime spent with family was guaranteed to be a time of love and laughter.

Barbara was called by many names, Mom, Nana, Aunt Barbara, Aunt B, Ms B.  As she opened her heart and extended her family, she became mom and Nana to many.

Barbara was preceded in death by her sister Loretta (Flakes) Bell, her brothers, Joseph, Samuel, and Ernest Smith.

Left to carry on her legacy is daughter Tamela Harrison, Woodbridge, VA; sons Rory S. Harrison, Wilkes-Barre; Dwayne and wife Lisa, Forty Fort; Clinton A. Harrison and wife Stacy, Middletown, DE; Gregory D. Harrison, and Deborah Harrison of Philadelpha. Nieces Ernestine (Tina) Jones and Madeline (Maddy) Smith and nephew Ronald (Ronnie) Smith. Grandchildren: Phoenicia, Taleetha, Deron, Jamal, Taylor, Charmaine, Caron, Gregory, Justin, Ciani, and great grands: Rufus, Chloe, Oceayn, and Alexis and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, 465 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA on June 18th, 2022 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM with services to follow. Officiating will be Reverend James Breeze.

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