Barbara Fernley

Barbara Jean Parmley Smith Fernley, 93, of Salt Lake City, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 4, 2023.
Barbara was born on November 20, 1929, in Salt Lake City Utah to Velora and Joseph Parmley. Her early years were spent with siblings Alan and Joanne who preceded her in death. Barbara attended Irvine Jr High, East High School, and the University of Utah. She met Earl Jay Smith as a child, and they married in August 1947; they later divorced. Barbara was the proud mother of nine happy, healthy children.
After college Barbara went to work for the Bell Telephone Company.  She later discovered her true calling as a saleswoman.  Barbara loved people and loved beautiful things.  She combined both when she created Utahna Distributing.  She ran this business selling fine china, silver, and glassware for over thirty years.
As a single mother, Barbara – “Oh, Barb” as she was affectionately known to her friends and family – encouraged her children to pursue their interests, from athletics to the fine arts. She supported them in all they did, whether it was cheering them on from the sidelines or applauding enthusiastically at a performance.
She met the love of her life, the piano tuner Edgar Fernley, and married on May 19, 1990. They were later sealed in the Jordan River LDS Temple. They spent twenty-four wonderful years together, enjoying RV travel, community theatre, and trips to Wendover. Barbara especially enjoyed supporting Ed in his singing career, from attending Swanee Singers concerts to listening to recordings he made in their in-home studio.
Barbara was a friend to everyone and could never go anywhere without seeing someone she knew and loved. She immediately lit up any room she entered and was a joyful presence in her colorful outfits and stylish hats. Barbara’s bubbly personality charmed everyone she encountered.  She loved to flirt, and she did her best to share these skills with her adoring grandchildren.
Barbara was preceded in death by husband, Edgar Fernley and son, Jay Smith; stepchildren, Greg and Val Fernley; and grandsons Curtis Fellows and Danny Johnson.
She is survived by children Blake (Jan) Smith, Kendra (Scott) Reed, Wade (Sandy) Smith, Craig (Allison) Smith, Lisa (Phil) Davis, Loisann (Robert) Fellows, Lora (Jeff) Eskelson, Larry (Leslie) Smith, and daughter-in-law Ellen Smith (wife of Jay); stepsons, Sam (Mary) Fernley, Kevin (Doris) Fernley; 33 grandchildren and over 40 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express gratitude to Spring Garden Assisted Living Center and their wonderful staff who showed such kindness and concern for “Oh Barb.”
There will be a viewing at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 12, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm.  The service will be at Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Salt Lake City.
Service Information
Viewing May 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Salt Lake City





Funeral Service
May 12, 2023 at 2:00PM
Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Salt Lake City