Betty Ann Barnes Gilding of Apopka passed away on December 6, 2016. “Babs”, as she was called by many friends and family, was born October 30, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, the only child of Wilma Hensley Barnes and James Gayle Barnes. She spent most of her youth in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area and then completed a bachelor’s degree at her mother’s alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. The proximity to her mother’s family outside Chattanooga allowed her to maintain the extended family ties which had been forged in her childhood. She was greatly loved by her Tennessee grandparents as well as her uncles, aunts and cousins.
Following her mother into the teaching profession, she spent the next 39 years teaching elementary school in the Orlando area, the last 30 of which were at Dream Lake Elementary in Apopka. With her then-husband, Greg, she also raised two wonderful daughters, Deanna and Teresa, both of whom remained close to her throughout life and cared for her during the course of a long illness. She was a loving “Nana” to 6 grandchildren as well.
Never a person to sit still, Babs was busy in retirement, giving of herself to the many friendships she had cultivated over the years in school, in church, in her book club and in her Bunco group. The words her friends use to describe her is loyal and sweet.
Despite many health challenges over several years, Babs was never a complainer. She approached her illness with bravery and grace, inspiring her daughters and others to always have hope and never give in to self-pity.
Babs was predeceased by her parents and is survived by her daughters, Deanna Mallett (Jason) of Apopka and Teresa Young (Robert) of Tavares. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Robert II, Taylor and Alexys Young; Blake and Audrey Morris; Austin Mallett.
Friends are invited to a memorial at Northside Baptist Church, 413 West Welch Road in Apopka at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 11. Expressions of sympathy may be received by Loomis Funeral Home.