Remembering Barbara Smith

In case you missed the special email earlier this week, Barbara Smith (Chapel Spiritual Healer), made her transition to nonphysical this past Saturday, August 9th. Her funeral was held at Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News on Tuesday, and several Chapel members attended. It was a beautiful service celebrating Barbara’s brilliantly creative and powerful life and legacy. 

Barbara (and her partner, Nelson), were Chapel regulars for many years, and both became “Laying on of Hands” healers for the Chapel in 2023, as part of the late Rev. Jenny Seeley’s classes.

Nelson and Barbara, 2024.

Barbara last attended in-person Chapel services and the ordination reception on Sunday, July 27th, 2025.

Please join us in sharing prayers for progression for Barbara, and much love, comfort, healing, and support for Nelson, as well as for Barbara’s children, grandchildren, and adoring community.

We encourage you to read more about Barbara’s life and share your thoughts and prayers with her family on the Obituary page, linked below. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and memories with the Chapel community here, on this blog post.

Barbara plays the keyboard before Chapel Services on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Barbara Drucker Smith (June 5, 1936 – August 9, 2025) (Online Obituary)

Barbara grew up in a large extended family that was a significant part of the close-knit traditional Jewish community in Newport News. She was a 1952 graduate of Newport News High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary.

Barbara was a patron of the arts. She was a published local, regional, and national poet and author, conducted readings and workshops, and was in the Tidewater Writers Association, Virginia Writers Club, and Poetry Society of Virginia. She was a pioneer of the Lab Center for Reading which set the foundation for Resource Rooms in Newport News. She owned and operated Write it Right and Louraine Publishers. Barbara served on the Advisory Board for the Writers Conferences at Christopher Newport University and established the Barbara Drucker Smith Endowed Honors Scholarship.

She sang with the Virginia Choral Society and performed at Carnegie Hall. She also participated in the Yoder Barn folk operas, composed classical piano arrangements, and released three CDs entitled Barbarina.

Barbara was a certified hypnotherapist, an active member of Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research & Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, and a participant in the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapy. She also founded her own practice, Hip Hip Hypnotherapy.

Barbara served as a docent at The Mariners’ Museum and Park and welcomed audiences as an usher at the Ferguson Center. She belonged to the Cadillac & LaSalle Club and dedicated many years to volunteering with Contact Peninsula. She was also a lifelong member of Rodef Sholom Temple and the National Council of Jewish Women. Barbara was an avid traveler who explored the world and its many cultures.

Barbara is survived by her son, Eric Drucker Smith (Carol Brighton) and grandchildren, Riley, Louis, Chelsea, and Max; her daughter, Lisa Loraine Smith (Jerry Gips) and granddaughter, Anya; and Barbara’s beloved partner, L. Nelson Farley. She is predeceased by her parents A. Louis and Loraine Drucker, and her brothers Erwin and Stanley.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Barbara’s memory to your favorite charity or to the Barbara Drucker Smith Endowed Honors Scholarship, by mail to Christopher Newport University Attn: Keith Roots 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606, online at www.advancement.cnu.edu/portal/give and designate “Barbara Drucker Smith Endowed Honors Scholarship,” or call the CNU Advancement Offices at 757-594-0581.

Barbara will always be remembered as an extremely ebullient, spiritual, and creative individual. She will be deeply missed.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 12th at 11:15am at Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News, VA.

Following the service, the burial will be at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula in Hampton.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.