Obnoxious Breaking News……B. Smith has died at 70!
It is with great sadness I announce the passing of my mom, Barbara Elaine Smith.
B. died peacefully Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 10:50 pm, of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in our home in Long Island, New York. She was 70.
Thank you to Dr. Sam Gandy, East End Hospice and additional caregivers who helped us make B. comfortable in her final days. Thank you to all the friends and fans who supported B. and our family during her journey. Thank you to everyone for respecting our privacy during this agonizing time.
Heaven is shining even brighter now that it is graced with B.’s dazzling and unforgettable smile. -Dana Gasby
“Heaven is shining even brighter now that it is graced with B.’s dazzling and unforgettable smile.”
In addition to building restaurants and a home decor collection, over the years, Smith was a fashion model, actress, broadcast talent and bestselling cookbook author. In 1976 she became one of the first African American women to appear on the cover of “Mademoiselle” magazine. “B. Smith with Style,” her syndicated talk show, aired nationally on NBC stations for several years. She also ran three popular restaurants.
But she was also determined to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, particularly for the African American community.
“The elegance. The grace. The style. May God rest and bless her soul. #BSmith was one-of-a-kind,” director Ava DuVernay wrote in a tweet.
“We lost legendary fashion model, chef, restaurateur, lifestyle icon and magazine publisher, B Smith today,” NBC’s Al Roker said on Twitter.
“70 years old, she and her husband, Dan Gasby were at the forefront of #alzheimers #research for people of color. Love to them and daughter, Dana.”