Barbara Ann (Hickler) Smith

Barbara Smith, 81, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully in her home with her beloved husband, Ernest Smith by her side on September 12, 2018. Memorial Services will be Saturday afternoon, September 22, 2018 at 1:30 pm in Parks Funeral Home Chapel at 130 West First North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. Flowers will be accepted.

Barbara Ann Hickler Smith was born May 25, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of George Hickler and Laura Bottles Hickler. Barbara resided in New Jersey for many years where she raised her family of five children as a loving caring mother. Barbara worked hard to help make ends meet as a sewing machine operator and later chose a career in nursing. As a convalescence nurse, Barbara showed her concern for others as she did to her children through gentle attention, compassion, thoughtful conversation and understanding to those patients. In the later retirement years, Barbara made the Charleston, South Carolina area home. Here, she and the love of her life and husband, Ernest Smith "Ernie" enjoyed the company of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pets were always a part of Barbara's inner circle with the most recent addition, Pete being by her side to the end. Barbara's story-telling and sharing of numerous wisdoms and lessons of life provided wonderful laughter, enjoyment and a desire by the little ones to come back for more. Barbara was truly an inspiration to us all of how to be kind, considerate and mindful of others by loving everybody and harming none. 

In addition to her husband, Ernest Smith of Summerville, SC, Barbara leaves behind three sons, Kenneth Corby of Austin, TX, Gerald Corby of Andover, NJ, and Russell Corby of Dallas, TX; daughter, Laura Griffen of Buford, SC; brothers, Walter Hickler of CA, and George Hickler of NJ; step children, Ernie Smith Jr. of SC, Brian Smith of NJ, Mortimer Smith of FL, Denise Collins of NJ, Diane Zhelesnik of PA; fourteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceeded in death by her parents, George and Laura Hickler; a son, William E. Corby; and a brother, Richard Hickler. Barbara will be greatly missed by all.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. 

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