Dr. Barry J. Smith was born on September 3, 1953, to Ruben R. and Mary Agnes (Franklin)
Smith in Mobile, Alabama and was the second child of four children. In 1965, at the age of 12,
Barry moved to Rancho Cordova, California with his family and settled into the neighborhood of
Cordova Towne. Six years later, he graduated with honors from Cordova High School.
On September 15 1975, Barry entered into active duty with the United States Marine Corps. and
proudly served his country. Aside from serving with "the few, the proud" Barry also had a zeal for
education. He matriculated from various colleges and universities including California State
University, Sacramento and Liberty Theological Seminary where he demonstrated academic
excellence by earning a Bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees and a Doctorate degree.
Additionally, he held credentials in Secondary education, Higher Education, Administration and
Counseling and was the receipient of numerous awards and certifications.
In 1979, love bloomed when Barry met Ginger Wade and that blossoming led to their marriage
in 1980. Following their union, the couple had 3 children: Barry Joseph II (BJ), Alexander
DuBois and Phylly Azuree.
In 1990, Barry answered God's calling and in 1992 became an ordained minister. He served on
staff as a minister at the Unity Missionary Baptist Church (Rev. Tillman Wade, Sr., Pastor) until
God directed him to lead the flock of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Concurrent to this, Barry was the Religious Program Coordinator for the California Department
of Corrections where he overseed various religious programs offered to over 170,00 inmates.
Additionally, he served nine years as a faculty member with the California State University,
Sacramento where he taught in the Graduate School of Counselor Education. Due to these
accomplishments in the field of religion and education, Barry was invited to the Presidential
Prayer Breakfast, consulted with various State Attorney General Offices in reference to religious
policy and practice, a speaker in Fort Lee, Virginia for a nationally televised religious conference
and a keynote speaker for three weeks in Jerusalem, Israel speaking on the positive impact that
religious education has on the incarcerated person.
Barry is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Smith and his brother, Terrell Smith.
He is survived by his three children: BJ (Nikki and Blaze Smith), Alex and Phylly (Ervin and
Isabela Zambrano), his former wife of 34 years, Ginger Wade Smith , his father, Ruben Smith,
his sisters: Synthia Smith (Samantha Smith), Robin Smith (Mya Smith), the Wade Family, his
godson, Tillman Wade III and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
"...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:23, KJV).