Barbara Smith Bolton

Mrs. Barbara Smith Bolton, of Birmingham, AL, and a summer resident of Silver Bay, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 22. Her loving husband of nearly 66 years, Louis Davout Bolton 2nd (Nick) was by her side.

Born Barbara Howard Smith in Newark, NJ, on March 18, 1924, Mrs. Bolton was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Alexander Smith (Consuelo Garwood). She graduated from the Horace Mann School for Girls and Smith College, and attended Columbia University and the Juillard School of Music. At the time of her marriage, she was a member of the English-Speaking Union, and she and her husband were members of the Blue Hill Troupe, where they met.

A lady of elegant bearing, Mrs. Bolton was an avid reader, and a lover of music. Her lovely soprano voice was a welcome addition to the choirs of Christ Episcopal Church, Yankton, SD; Christ Episcopal Church, Overland Park, KS, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham. She was the Children’s Choir director at Christ Episcopal Church in Yankton, SD, and a devotee of the cello. Her beautiful speaking voice brought the news to blind listeners of WBHM for many years, as she volunteered as a radio reader. Having been a polio survivor, she brought cheer and compassion to the hospital rooms of many St. Luke’s parishioners over the years.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bolton is survived by her children, Louis D. (Dave) Bolton 3rd; Elizabeth (Tibby) Christenberry (Robert); Victoria (Tori) Rice (Harry); Katherine (Kit) Casey (Steve); James A. (Jim) Bolton (Ginny); thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 2, 10:00am in the Founders Room, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The service will follow in the Chapel at 11. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks, Silver Bay, NY.