Barbara Jane Estes Smith Darnell

Barbara Jane Estes Smith Darnell, 78, of Amarillo, Texas went to be with our Lord on August 3, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Barbara was born on October 25, 1945, in Pasadena, Texas to parents, James Loren Estes, Jr and Virginia Mae (Kelley) Estes both of Quanah, Texas. She grew up in Pasadena, Nacogdoches, and Amarillo, Texas. She graduated from Tascosa High School in 1964. She married her high school sweetheart, Hill Alexander Smith, Jr on December 18, 1964.

Barbara and Hill served with High Plains Children’s Home for many years by fostering approximately 40 children during the first 15 years of marriage. She was widowed in 1996. She married Eddie Messer in 1998 and was widowed again in 2002. She married Joe Brannon Darnell on December 30, 2006. Barbara worked at the Veterans’ Administration for 18 years, retiring in 2002 to care for her aging parents. She worked as a driver’s education instructor, insurance agent, substitute teacher, and ended her career as part owner of Darnell Trading Inc.

Barbara walked with God and faithfully served several churches in Amarillo during her lifetime. After the death of Hill, she began attending a Grief Share program and soon became a facilitator and coordinator for many different churches and groups. When she married Brannon, they both volunteered together in this role, opening their home to many others touched by grief. She was known for her passion to help others, her hospitality, her love for animals and flowers, and her ability to pinch pennies. The staff at The Reserve at Amarillo gave her the name “Sweet Barbara” which describes her very well.

She loved her family deeply. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Brannon Darnell; two sons, Craig (Maria) Smith of Nowata, Oklahoma and Brian (Krista) Smith of Slocomb, Alabama; one daughter, Ginger (John) Breeding of Houston, Texas; two step-daughters, Karen (Derick) Haggard of Lubbock, Texas and Debbie Darnell of Lubbock, Texas; one sister, Donna (John) Schmidt of Morton, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Ashley Smith and Kirstie (Chris) Hanna of Canyon, Texas, Landon Smith and Karlee Smith of Slocomb, Alabama, and James Breeding of Houston, Texas; four step grandchildren, Dax Haggard, Ryne Haggard, and Quin Haggard of Lubbock, Texas and Cody (Carley) Fabela of Canyon, Texas; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. Barbara was preceded in death by both parents, 2 husbands, her brother and sister-in-law, (James and Martha Estes).

A Celebration of Life is planned for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Amarillo, Texas, at 2:00 pm with ministers, Dick Marcear and Greg Corona officiating. Visitation will be Monday, August 5, 2024, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Internment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Amarillo, Texas. Pallbearers include James Breeding, Dax Haggard, Ryne Haggard, Quin Haggard, Cody Febela, and David Corder. 

The family would like to thank the staff at The Reserve at Amarillo and Enhabit Home Health and Hospice who loved and cared for her over last 3 years. You served her very well.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of West Texas at www.alz.org/westtexas or High Plains Children’s Home, 11461 S Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118 or online at hpch.org.