Barbara Rae (Fowler) Smith

Barbara Rae Smith, 82, of Yuma Arizona, passed away on August 14 th .
Born on January 29, 1943, to George Alfred Fowler and Margaret “Pat” (Patterson) Fowler in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. She had 3 siblings. She spent her youth growing up in Idaho Falls. She was a
lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Barbara met Evan Smith in 1961 at Tautphaus Park, where she was working and he was delivering
linen, he offered her a ride home, 3 weeks later they were married. They remained married for 59
years. They moved to California shortly after they married where they started their family. Toni
1962 and Terry 1963 came into the world after they married, Ricky 1970 and Kevin 1971 showed up
after an 8-year break. In 1976 Evan decided the family needed a change and they returned to
Idaho in 1977. After raising their kids in Idaho, she and Evan decided that they were tired of the
cold and relocated to sunny Arizona, where they lived the rest of their days.
Barbara and Evan were the owners of A Mattress Shop on Yellowstone Highway.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Evan Smith, her parents George and
Margaret Fowler, one sibling Richard Fowler, one son Richard Evan Smith, one grandson Tyson
John (TJ) Harper. She is survived by three children and their spouses, Toni (Smith) and (Mike)
Scarboro, Terry and (Elisa) Smith, Kevin and (Nicole) Smith, two siblings and their spouses,
Georgann (Fowler) and Frank Kocsis, George “Ellis” (Terri) Fowler, 6 grandchildren and 6 great
grandchildren.
Barbara really enjoyed being around her family and friends. She loved her family and her cats;
she lived for her cats. She was an avid seamstress. She made many beautiful quilts and many
table runners, microwave bowls, purses, wallets, you name it she made it. She had a small
business “Catnips Closet” located in the Foothills Mattress and Furniture, the business Evan had
opened when they moved to Yuma. The business stayed open after Evan’s retirement at which
time her son Kevin took over.
Services to be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Skyline Ward 2345 W 17 th St
S, Idaho Falls, ID on September 13 th at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho
Falls.
Please make any donations to a Humane Society or Pet rescue (sanctuary), or the American Heart Association.

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