In Loving Memory of Beth Oliver Barham

Beth Oliver Barham, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family.

Beth was born Marie Elizabeth Oliver on August 18, 1941, at Panama City Hospital to Benjamin Martin Oliver and Emma Elizabeth “Libby” Coleman Oliver. She attended Bay High School and later Florida State University. After two years at FSU, Beth returned home to help her family.

It was during this time that Beth met the love of her life, Robert Lee Barham, on a double date at a local bowling alley. Their love grew into a lifelong partnership, and they were married on October 12, 1965. In 1966, they moved to Gulf Breeze when her father was transferred to Pensacola, beginning the family's enduring connection to the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola area.

Beth was a woman of deep Catholic faith, and her faith remained an important part of her life throughout the years. While living in Panama City, she was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church. After moving to Gulf Breeze, she became a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, and later became a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola, where she remained a member until her passing.

Family and friends were the most important things in Beth's life. She cherished the people around her and loved bringing family together. Thursday night happy hours and the five families Christmas party were among the traditions she treasured most.

Beth was also an adventurer at heart. She loved to travel, visiting Mexico, Europe, Australia, and destinations throughout the United States. She loved experiencing new places and creating memories with the people she loved.

She especially loved the outdoors and the water. Some of her favorite activities included water skiing, crabbing, mullet fishing, and scalloping. Her love of the water reflected her fun-loving and adventurous spirit.

Beth worked in several positions throughout her life, including in the personnel office of the Escambia County School Board. She later earned her teaching degree from the University of West Florida and taught at George Stone Technical Center, Washington High School, and Gulf Breeze High School. She retired from teaching in 1996 so she could spend more time with her family and travel the world.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Martin Oliver and Emma Elizabeth “Libby” Coleman Oliver; her beloved husband, Robert Lee Barham; and her sister, Genie Caruthers.

She is survived by her son, Robert Barham, and his wife, Lisa Barham; her grandchildren, Rebecca Duplechain (Hayden) and Robert “Alex” Barham (Rebecca); and her great-grandson, Hudson Oliver, affectionately known as her favorite grandchild.

Beth will be remembered for her unwavering love of family, her strong Catholic faith, her friendships, her sense of adventure, her love of travel and the water, and the countless memories she created throughout her life.

Above all, Beth's greatest joy was her family. She loved watching her family grow and especially cherished her grandchildren and great-grandson, Hudson Oliver.

Her life was filled with faith, love, laughter, family, friendship, travel, and adventure. The memories she created will remain in the hearts of those who loved her forever.

She may be gone from our sight, but her love will remain with us always.

Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E Moreno st. Pensacola, Fl 32503 on Thursday, September 17th.

Visitation will start at 10am and a Mass to celebrate her life at 11am. The family invites you to join them for a reception following the mass where we can share our wonderful memories of Beth’s life.