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Celebrating the life of Barbara Drucker Smith.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
WHEREAS, Barbara Drucker Smith, an accomplished poet, author, and musician, respected hypnotherapist, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and beloved member of the Newport News community, died on August 9, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith graduated from Newport News High School in 1952 and earned a bachelor's degree from The College of William & Mary; and
WHEREAS, a member of the Tidewater Writers Association, the Virginia Writers Club, and the Poetry Society of Virginia, Barbara Smith was a prolific poet and author whose works had been published locally, regionally, and nationally; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith promoted literacy and the arts as a pioneer of the Lab Center for Reading and the owner and operator of Write it Right and Louraine Publishers; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith was a gifted musician who sang with the Virginia Choral Society, performed at Carnegie Hall, composed classical piano arrangements, and released three albums under the artist name Barbarina; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith was a certified hypnotherapist who founded her own practice, Hip Hip Hypnotherapy, and was a member of the Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Barbara Smith was a lifelong member of Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News and the National Council of Jewish Women; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Eric and Lisa, and their families; her partner, L. Nelson; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Barbara Drucker Smith, a treasured member of the Newport News community whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Barbara Drucker Smith as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.