Marsha Barnes Smith

Marsha Barnes Smith of Wilson passed away peacefully on October 5th, 2026, and her brother Ben Barnes was by her side.

Marsha was born on October 22, 1956, in Wilson Co. North Carolina the daughter of Warren S. Barnes and Ruby Lamm Barnes of Elm City. Marsha grew up in Elm City and graduated from Elm City High School in 1974. She was active in F.H.A. F.B.L.A, Band, Chorus, Color Guard and the Drum and Bugle Corp. Marsha then attended Wilson Co. Technical Institute where she graduated with a Degree of Applied Science in Executive Secretary in September 1977.

Upon Graduation, Marsha worked as a secretary at Reuben H. Donnelly Corporation in Elm City, as a Legal Secretary at Batts, Batts & Bell LLP Attorneys at Law and TW King Attorney at Law both in Rocky Mount. She was an excellent worker and was often assigned the most complex office tasks.

Marsha’s passions were music, practicing calligraphy, fountain pens, reading, history, gems, jewelry, antiques and animals. She was especially fond of dogs, cats and birds. Her favorite composers were Beethoven and Mozart. She was particularly fond of conductors Gustav Dudamel and Leonard Bernstein. Her favorite modern music was from The Beetles and Queen. Marsha was happiest when she and her second husband Thomas would head out on a Saturday morning and go to yard sales. She often said that they would leave with $20.00 in their pockets, shop, come home and it was like Christmas morning. Her proudest achievement was studying at the Gemological Institute of American and being awarded certifications in Diamonds, Diamond Grading, Colored Stones, Gem Identification and Colored Stone Grading.[BB1]

Marsha was a member of the Elm City Methodist Church and was active in First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount for many years while living in Rocky Mount.

She is preceded in Death by her Grandparents Dr. Benjamin F Barnes and Bertha Pridgen Barnes of Elm City and by Benjamin Franklin Lamm and Patty Patterson Lamm of Bailey, her first husband Phillip Deans Winborne of Wilson and her second husband Thomas Willis Smith of Battleboro as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. She is survived by her brother, Ben Barnes of Elm City, and a large extended family.

There will be a Graveside service for Marsha, 2:00 November 24th, 2026, in the Cedar Grove Cemetery N Pender St. in Elm City followed by a visitation at the Elm City Methodist Church, 106 N Parkers St, in Elm City.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.