Obituaries for the week of June 8, 2017

Conrad
Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Barbara Louise Smith Conrad passed away peacefully at 5:12 a.m. Monday, May 22, in Edison, New Jersey due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. 
 It was a most befitting hour, as sunrise was her favorite time of the day; and, because she had the extraordinary gift of shining her warm loving light on those blessed enough to have experienced her presences and her angelic voice. 
The youngest of educators Jerrie Lee Smith (Cash) and Army Capitan Conrad Smith’s five children, Barbara was raised in Center Point, Texas. She once wrote that it was a “…small southwestern rural black community, rich-red soil…and gentle breezes perfumed with the unique smell of East Texas Pines.”  It was in this beloved community’s Baptist church that Barbara “…first experienced great gospel revivals and the singing of Negro spirituals.”   
In her words, “It was in this Church that I was able to freely express all my joys and sorrows and find the source of inspiration so that Jesus, my black Jesus, could dwell in me.”  This is where it all began - where she first lifted her divine voice to the heavens and where she began singing accompanied by her adored brother, Dinard, also a musical prodigy.  
In 1956, Barbara entered the first desegregated undergraduate class at The University of Texas at Austin to study music.  After Ms. Barbara was cast to play the Queen of Carthage, in Dido, opposite a white male, she became the center of racial hatred, threats and aggression from white University of Texas students and the Texas Legislature. 
 Impressed by Barbara’s exceptional talent and character, singer, actor, and civil-rights activist, Harry Belafonte offered to relocate her to any music conservatory in the world.  Instead, Barbara took a courageous stance in the face of adversity and graduated from the University of Texas in 1959 with a Bachelor of Music degree.  Soon after, Barbara accepted Belafonte’s invitation to audition in New York City, and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt financed the trip. 
To avoid confusion with another singer, Barbara took the stage name “Barbara Conrad,” after her father.  This name became synonymous with musical excellence the world over. 
Barbara performed with the Metropolitan Opera and in many other acclaimed international opera houses throughout the world, with the world’s greatest orchestras and with the most renowned conductors of the world.  Barbara sang side by side with opera royalty. She also played Marian Anderson in the 1977 TV movie “Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.  And, Barbara performed at the White House for Lady Bird Johnson’s 75th birthday party, in 1987.  In 1995 she sang for Pope John Paul II in New York City.  
In 2009, the Texas legislature formally apologized to Ms. Barbara for its role in the 1957 UT-Austin incident. Barbara’s extraordinary journey was chronicled in, “When I Rise”, an award winning documentary produced by the University of Texas, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, in 2010.  
She has won numerous awards including the Texas Medal of Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement and the History-Making Texan Award.  In 1994, Barbara recorded and co-produced a CD of Negro Spirituals, “Amazing Grace”, which received a Grammy nomination.  
Barbara was a brilliant woman of many talents and interests. She loved to teach and was a master music instructor and pianist for her students. As a multi-linguist, Barbara spoke French, Italian and German fluently and was proficient in Spanish.  She was an incredibly well-rounded person who loved to read everything from the sports page to deep philosophical text.  
Her favorite book was The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran.  Barbara was also known for her exquisite flower arrangements and gifted culinary skills. 
Barbara leaves her legacy and precious memories with her brothers:  Howard K. Smith (and wife Rosie L.) of Aurora, Colorado,  Jimmy L. Smith of Pittsburg, Texas and former brother-in-law Michael K. Howell of New York.  
She is also leaves them with her three nieces and one nephew: Jeri C. Moore of Richmond Hill, New York, Melanie Moore Howell of San Francisco, Calif., Laurie Collins (and husband Eddie) of San Jose, Calif. and Peter Moore and family of Tracy, Calif..  
Barbara leaves the monumental legacy of musical excellence to the Mannes College: The New School for Music, her Wagner Theater Program students and her private studio students.  
Barbara also leaves her precious memories and gratitude with her support team: “guardians” Bettye L. Neal (cousin) of Washington, D.C. and April Curtis Haines (friend) of Plainfield, New Jersey; private health aides, Millicent Gaskin and Mildred Beauchamp-Geronimo; Care One nursing staff; Godson, Oscar Rivera and his family of New York, New York; and her extended family, the loving neighbors of W. 85th Street of New York, New York. She also leaves her legacy and precious memories with her beloved cousin Barbara Sanders (Harold) of Forest Hill, Texas, her many other cousins and a host of special friends. 
Barbara was predeceased by her loving father and mother, Conrad and Jerrie Lee Smith; her adored brother and soul-mate, Dinard Smith; and her beautiful sister Constance Howell.
(Paid obituary)

Hodge
Donna Jean Chance Hodge, 89, of Mount Pleasant, Texas, died Saturday, June 3, 2017.  Visitation was Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 1-2 p.m. at the Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church with services to follow at 2:00 PM.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home.  
Hodge was born December 31, 1927 in Luka, Kansas and graduated from Wilmore High School, then went to Cottey College and later graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Home Economics. 
She then became a Flight Attendant for Braniff Airlines where she worked until she met the love of her life, Douglas R. “Randy” Hodge. They were married in November 1954 and late had three children, Doug, Tom and Janice.
Hodge was known for her beautiful watercolor paintings, soprano voice, and delicious homemade pies!!!  She was a devoted Christian who spent years of service as a Sunday school teacher and Church Choir member.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Douglas R. Hodge, her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Patricia Hodge, her daughter Janice Hodge Powers and five grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister, Janet Chance Young and preceded in death by her other 3 sisters, Virginia Chance Gilbert, Ann Chance Elwell, and Joan Chance.  She was also preceded in death by her son, Thomas Allen Hodge and her parents, Everett and Keo Chance.
Online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com.
(Paid obituary)

Sublet
Samuel Sublet, Jr. died Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the age of 73 in Dallas. Funeral service were Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Union Chapel Cemetery in Pittsburg. Services under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home in Pittsburg.