Barbara Reed Smithson

Barbara Reed Smithson (Sutliff) went home to be with her precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 3, 2026 at 87 years old. After several years of health challenges related to Parkinson’s disease, Barbara is finally whole, happy, and at peace. Even as she slowly lost her independence, it never quite took away her spark. She held onto her humor, determination, and stubborn sense of adventure until the very end.

Barbara was born on January 18, 1939, in Taft, California, to Alvah and Margaret Sutliff. By elementary school, her family had settled in Oildale. She began high school at Bakersfield High before transferring to the newly opened North High School as part of its first graduating class in 1956, where she proudly held the title of the first “girl with a car.”

Barbara married Dub Smithson in 1959 and they had three children: Dennis, Deanna and Janet. All three children were by her side during her final days, a testament to the close bond they shared throughout her life. She was a one-of-a-kind mother who gave her children the freedom to become themselves while holding firm to a few important rules: keep the house clean, go to church, and do well in school. She gave her children a life full of stories: spontaneous beach trips (even when there wasn’t enough gas to make it home), afternoons canoeing at Hart Park, and driving lessons on Kern County backroads. Money was always tight, but Barbara faced challenges with grit and determination. When the roof blew off the family home during a 1977 windstorm, she and her children reroofed the house themselves. Despite challenges, she found joy in the simple things of life, especially banana splits, which excited her children when she called that dinner.

Barbara’s work life reflected the same mix of charm, hustle, and heart. She got her start at KERO Channel 23, where she sweet-talked daytime host Don Rodewold into putting her children on television, more than once, to give away kittens from a particularly prolific family cat. Don eventually solved the problem himself by paying to have the cat spayed. Barbara later worked for Gary Drilling Company and then for P. Witte Enterprises, where she ran the office for many years and quietly helped countless oilfield families through various seasons of life. Upon “retirement” in 2000, she teamed up with her daughters to open FasTax, an income tax preparation business. Clients loved her for the same reason everybody did: she made people feel welcome, valued, and never judged for their circumstances.

That was Barbara’s way. She loved people deeply and without pretense. At her table, there was always room for one more. Holiday meals often included guests her family had never met before — people who otherwise might have spent the day alone. More than once, she opened her home to women who needed a safe place to land while getting back on their feet.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was the steady thread running through it all. Barbara loved the Lord with her whole heart and trusted Him through every season of her life, but she was never preachy about it; instead, she quietly reflected Christ’s love, grace, and humility, believing she was no better than anyone else. Barbara spent many years at Bakersfield Chinese Church, where she formed dear friendships and served in counseling ministries alongside treasured friends Ila Faulkner and Lonnie Gates. In later years, she attended The River Church, with her daughter Deanna joining her at services and events.

That same spark stayed with her all her life. To celebrate her 75th birthday, she was adamant to go skydiving; a venture the family couldn’t let her do alone. She was accompanied by her grandson and accomplished her goal without hesitation. More than anything, she continued to love being with family for meals and casual outings. She especially loved the annual family Christmas gift exchange — an event that is taken very seriously, complete with strategy, scheming, and a lot of laughter. It was not unlike her to steal a coveted gift from a grandkid with a little chuckle.

Her legacy lives on in the quietly stubborn resilience, unmatched work ethic, deeply loyal, and Christ-centered values she instilled in her children and grandchildren, and that already shine through in her great-grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Alvah and Margaret Sutliff; sister, Sharon McQuilliams; longtime friend, Wendell Weller; and great-granddaughter, Briar Smithson.

She is survived by her children Dennis Smithson (Gail), Deanna Barker (Howard), and Janet Carter (Jeff); grandchildren Shane Carter, Katelyn Huntington (Rob), Jessica King (Matt), and Chad Smithson (Britt); and great-grandchildren Mason Carter, Emersyn Huntington, Thomas Huntington, Dean Huntington, Carter King, Roey Smithson, and Sutton Smithson.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hallmark Assisted Living for their compassionate care over the last several years, and to Hoffman Hospice for the kindness and comfort they provided during Barbara’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The River Church, located at 928 17th Street in Bakersfield, on Saturday, May 30, at 1:00 PM. A small lunch and some of her favorite desserts will be served afterwards. Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made to Hoffman Hospice or The River Church in Barbara’s honor.