Barbara Arneal Goins - Smith - Grady

Barbara A. Goins, age 91, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after a courageous fight to the very end, reflecting the strength and determination she carried throughout her life. Barbara was born on July 22, 1934, in Calvin Township, Cassopolis, Michigan, on Chain Lake Road. She was delivered by Dr. Otis Newsome and was the beloved daughter of Henry Goins and Laura Belle (Franklin) Goins.

Barbara was married to Seth Smith, whom she met at Walgreens in Chicago, Illinois.  They were married at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while Seth was in the Army.  They moved from Chicago, Illinois to Bloomingdale, Michigan, where they raised their four children. She later rekindled her relationship and married her teenage sweetheart, Albert “Boonie” Grady.

Barbara was full of life and style, with a personality that could light up any room. At 4 feet 9 inches tall, she stood strong, never backing down and always speaking her mind. She didn’t take any mess from anyone, and people respected her for it. Barbara loved to look good; her hair, nails, and makeup were always done before she stepped out. She enjoyed shopping and fashion, and she carried herself with confidence and pride. Looking her best wasn’t just something she did; it was who she was.  When family and loved ones called or stopped by to check on her, her favorite response was, “Not bad for a young chicken.”

Throughout her life, Barbara held several roles. She worked as a bartender at the Talk of the Town Bar in Chicago, Illinois, served as a school bus driver for Bloomingdale Public Schools for ten years, worked as a packaging specialist at Perrigo in Allegan, Michigan, and retired from General Motors (Fisher Body), where she was a proud member of UAW Local 488 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Barbara is survived by her children, Stephen Smith Sr. of Middlesex, New York; Plato (Joyce) E. Smith Sr. of Covert, Michigan; Seth Smith Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Saztec (Allison) Smith of Lawton, Michigan; Sheena (Edwin) Johnson (Smith–Underwood) of Cassopolis, Michigan; and Cathy (Larry) Ash of Plainwell, Michigan.

She leaves behind a large and loving legacy, including her grandchildren: Stephen Smith Jr., Stephanie Smith Clegg Viseversa, Mia (Alex) Smith-Arguijo, Shannon (April) Fitzhugh, Plato Smith Jr., Torreanno Smith, Annisha (Sam) Solis, Dennis (Dawn) Underwood III, Matthew (Lisa) Underwood, Curt (Tonya) Underwood, Maria Johnson, Edwin (Rachel) Johnson IV, Janet (Lydell) Little, Catrinka (Raynaldo) Johnson; Jessie Ward Jr.; Alyssa Smith; Thatcher McGill; Anabelle Smith; Ezekiel Smith; Serenity Smith; and Benaiah Smith; forty-six great grandchildren; twenty-one great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Surrounded by generations of love, Barbara’s children, Stephen, Plato, and Sheena, and their families blessed her with five generations, where she was affectionately known as “GiGi” and “Gram,” titles she cherished deeply.

She is also survived by her special best friend, Gloria Saunders of Allegan, Michigan. who has been a loyal, trustworthy friend, sharing her deepest secrets, being a friend who listens and understands her feelings. Barbara’s special relationship extended to Gloria’s daughters, Tonya and Amy, affectionately calling them “my girls.”

Barbara had a special relationship with her stylist, Rick Garrison at Moxie Salon and Spa in Portage, Michigan, who could make her smile when no one else could, making her feel and look like the queen she was.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Laura Belle Goins; her twin sisters, Velma and Velme Goins; her brothers, Henry Goins, Eugene Peake; her son-in-law, Edwin G. Johnson III; her granddaughter, Renata Smith; and her great grandson, Charles Johnson.

Barbara will be remembered for her strength, her style, her honesty, and the deep love she had for her family. Her legacy will live on through the many generations she leaves behind.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, June 27, 2026 for a funeral service at 1:30 pm in Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis.  

Barbara will be laid to rest in Calvin Center Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Arneal Goins - Smith - Grady, please visit our floral store.