Barbara Skyrms

1921 - 2023

SKYRMS, Barbara (Brown) cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed peacefully on January 1, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family, after 101 years of a richly blessed life. Barbara was the ultimate Christmas gift to Ernest and Mildren Brown in 1921. A lifelong resident and lover of Tampa, she attended Roosevelt Elementary, Wilson Middle School and Plant High School. She graduated cum laude for Florida State College for Women, (now FSU) in 1943. She met and married the love of her life, Lt. Edward Skyrms, a WWII B-17 pilot assigned to Drew Field, Tampa after flying combat missions out of England. The two raised four children, Connie (Jim) Wilson, Deborah Skyrms, Susan (Chris) Anderson and Kent (Lynn) Skyrms and were blessed with eight grandchildren before his passing in 1987. She also went on to enjoy and love fourteen great-grandchildren. Barbara's home was always open as she had a great heart for serving others, family, friends, Hyde Park Presbyterian as well as her community and those in need. She relished her annual stays at the beach, especially sea shelling with her grandchildren and later, their children. She traveled to many family events, and enjoyed many excursions with Ed and their dear friends. The family is very grateful for her devoted caregivers, Gail, Luanda and Maria, and others who cared so tenderly for her, and our extraordinary Hospice nurse, Christy. The family will mourn Barbara's passing in a private service, with a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Missions Fund, the Salvation Army, Life Path Hospice or a charity of your choice. Blount & Curry at MacDill