Obituary for Barbara Puryear (Goldsmith)
Barbara Ann Goldsmith (affectionately known as Barb) was born to Roosevelt “Snook” and Willie Mae Ray Goldsmith on April 11, 1947, in Montgomery, AL. At the age of five, Barb’s mother passed. Bennett “Unc Alex”, who also lovingly raised Barb’s younger sister, Glenda, and their brother, Willie Alex “Tweet.”
Barb is a product of Ensley and the Escambia County School system and graduated from The Booker T. Washington High School in the Class of ‘64. While at Washington, she marched in the band as a Majorette. After graduation, Barb attended Booker T. Washington Junior College before she moved to Los Angeles, where she would marry Lloyd Puryear, Jr. (also from Pensacola) in the early 70s. To that union, no children were born, but Barb’s family would become lifelong family members to the Puryears. While in California, Barb would continue to embrace life, party with celebrities and LIVE her life, never meeting a stranger.
Barb and Lloyd would return to Florida where she enrolled at Pensacola Junior College (PJC). She furthered her studies in French and learned to crochet, which she often did to make all sorts of textiles. Although crafty, Barb also loved word puzzles, board & card games, specifically spades & bid whiz, music, live concerts, and attending festivals with family and loved ones. No stranger to a good time, if there was fun to be had, Barb was there or sharing an encouraging word to have fun on her behalf.
Deciding that marriage was not the best option, Barb eventually relocated to Orlando, where she would work with “the AT&T crew.” Her coworkers quickly became like family to not just Barb, but to her family as well. Barb remained in Orlando for 20 years. It was during that time she experienced love again and became a mother. Some years later, she would retire and decide to move back to Pensacola.
Once in Pensacola, she cared for “Mother Dear” and “Unc Alex.” Upon their passing, Barb chose to stay where she had grown up, and ultimately, where she decided to be when she took her final breath. Barb peacefully departed this life on September 23, 2022, surrounded by love.
Barb is preceded in death by her biological and bonus parents, and siblings, Bobby and Tweet.
Barbara Ann Goldsmith Puryear leaves to cherish her memory one son, Schaenon Williams (Celita) and three grandchildren, Zuri, Tahmare & Zahra of Orlando, FL; one sister, Glenda Williams (Reginald) of Atlanta, GA; a host of nephews & nieces, including niece Keisha Goldsmith of Pensacola, FL, who beautifully cared for Barb in her final days; and two special friends of over 55 years, Esther Siegler of Pensacola, FL, and Beverly Hicks of Phoenix, AZ; and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
The family of the late Ms. Barbara Ann Puryear wishes to acknowledge with grateful appreciation every word of encouragement, all telephone calls, cards, flowers, visits and other acts of kindness shown to us during this difficult time. May God richly bestow blessings upon each of you is our prayer.
Barb is a product of Ensley and the Escambia County School system and graduated from The Booker T. Washington High School in the Class of ‘64. While at Washington, she marched in the band as a Majorette. After graduation, Barb attended Booker T. Washington Junior College before she moved to Los Angeles, where she would marry Lloyd Puryear, Jr. (also from Pensacola) in the early 70s. To that union, no children were born, but Barb’s family would become lifelong family members to the Puryears. While in California, Barb would continue to embrace life, party with celebrities and LIVE her life, never meeting a stranger.
Barb and Lloyd would return to Florida where she enrolled at Pensacola Junior College (PJC). She furthered her studies in French and learned to crochet, which she often did to make all sorts of textiles. Although crafty, Barb also loved word puzzles, board & card games, specifically spades & bid whiz, music, live concerts, and attending festivals with family and loved ones. No stranger to a good time, if there was fun to be had, Barb was there or sharing an encouraging word to have fun on her behalf.
Deciding that marriage was not the best option, Barb eventually relocated to Orlando, where she would work with “the AT&T crew.” Her coworkers quickly became like family to not just Barb, but to her family as well. Barb remained in Orlando for 20 years. It was during that time she experienced love again and became a mother. Some years later, she would retire and decide to move back to Pensacola.
Once in Pensacola, she cared for “Mother Dear” and “Unc Alex.” Upon their passing, Barb chose to stay where she had grown up, and ultimately, where she decided to be when she took her final breath. Barb peacefully departed this life on September 23, 2022, surrounded by love.
Barb is preceded in death by her biological and bonus parents, and siblings, Bobby and Tweet.
Barbara Ann Goldsmith Puryear leaves to cherish her memory one son, Schaenon Williams (Celita) and three grandchildren, Zuri, Tahmare & Zahra of Orlando, FL; one sister, Glenda Williams (Reginald) of Atlanta, GA; a host of nephews & nieces, including niece Keisha Goldsmith of Pensacola, FL, who beautifully cared for Barb in her final days; and two special friends of over 55 years, Esther Siegler of Pensacola, FL, and Beverly Hicks of Phoenix, AZ; and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
The family of the late Ms. Barbara Ann Puryear wishes to acknowledge with grateful appreciation every word of encouragement, all telephone calls, cards, flowers, visits and other acts of kindness shown to us during this difficult time. May God richly bestow blessings upon each of you is our prayer.