Visitation will be 10am~12pm Monday, May 5, 2025, at Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00p.m.
The family invites everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship at Richard and Misty’s, 3015 Loomis Ave. Missouri Valley, Iowa, following the burial at Branson Cemetery.
Barbara Jean Smith, age 76, passed away at Rose Vista Nursing Home on April 30, 2025.
Barbara was born November 27, 1948, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Fred and Dorothy (Marr) Hollinger. She was the 3rd born out of eight siblings and one step sibling.
Barbara found love and married her first husband Richard (Dick) McClelland Sr. in 1969, to this union they had one son, Richard Jr., born in 1970. Dick suddenly passed away in 1977. Barbara met Paul Smith Sr., the two married in 1979 and they had one son, Paul Smith Jr., born in 1979. Together they raised the two boys that would become great men, husbands and father’s which made her very proud.
After Paul passed away in 2005, Barbara lived with Rich. In 2022 Rich married Misty and the two helped care for Barbara until she moved to Rose Vista Nursing Home in December 2024.
Barbara worked many jobs during her lifetime, Dallas Greenhouse, Blue Star Foods, Frito Lay, Terminal Pack, Future Foam and lastly as a Crossing Guard for Longfellow Elementary School in Council Bluffs. She worked at the 23rd Avenue crossing, which was one of the busiest crossings in Council Bluffs. She fought hard and finally got approved to have a safety crosswalk light installed to help the kids have a safer place to cross.
In Barbara’s free time she enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards, and BBQs with all the family. She especially loved making blankets for the new babies in the family and Easter baskets for all the children.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her sons; Richard (Misty) McClelland and Paul (Christine) Smith. Brothers; John (Judy) Hollinger, Doug (Paula) Hollinger and Bobby (Lynn) Hollinger. Grandchildren; Brynna Jean Smith, Connor Paulson Smith, Brandon Gill, Amanda Berg, Krystal Jones. Many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband’s Richard McClelland Sr. and Paul Smith Sr., parents Fred and Dorothy Hollinger, brothers, Fred, Terry, James, Charles Hollinger, and William Hack, sister Dorothy May and many in-laws.
8 Comments
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There was never anything more important to Barbara Jean than family. My daddy (Merle) was her dad’s (Fred) little brother. Every summer we would drive from Southern California to Council Bluffs for a visit with Everyone. Over the years, mom (Geneva) and Barb became best buddies. I’ll miss her phone calls.
Bye Barbara Jean, thanks for the memories
Barb will be sorely missed. I thoroughly enjoyed going to Her and Richard’s house for events. Whether it was a Holiday or a Birthday Celebration, there was ALWAYS plenty of food, fun and most importantly, LAUGHS! I miss you, Girl!
We are so sorry for your families loss. Barbara was a great lady that loved her family. She was very giving to her neighbors as well, we always loved the goodie tray with all of her homemade breads, cookies and candies at Christmas time. I know she will be greatly missed.
We will miss you so much aunt barb!! I love you see you again!!😘♥️🫶🏻🙏🌻🥀🌷🌹
We will forever miss you Aunt Barb, love you always, & forever fly high. 🕊️
Rest my old friend
Rest my friend
I’m so sorry that we couldn’t make it to the funeral. I always loved going to the family gatherings. We were there at the house in the south end and watched Pauli and Richard grow up1 We’re sending all our love and condolences to the Smith Family,friends, and every one else who had the joy and pleasure to be a part of Barb’s life and the Smith family/
Danny
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