Barbara Guess Leemis

April 30, 1930 - July 29, 2021

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Osprey First Baptist Church, Osprey, FL

Thursday 8/5, 10:00 am

Barbara Cross Guess Leemis of Cashiers, North Carolina passed away peacefully Friday, July 29, 2021, at the age of 91 surrounded by family after a short illness.

She was the daughter of the late Blanche Lawson and Kenneth Carlysle Cross, Sr. Born in Sanford, Florida Barbara grew up in Bradenton, Florida and attended Stetson University. Life then took her many places where she focused on serving God with her late husband and father of her children, the Reverend William Jackson Guess. They served as missionaries in the European Baptist Convention based in Germany.

Barbara also served as church pianist, music director, Women’s Missionary Union director, Sunday School teacher and in many other roles throughout the state of Florida. After the passing of Rev. Guess she fulfilled their retirement plans and spent a year as a missionary in Mali, Africa helping develop administrative systems to support feeding efforts. She then settled in Winter Haven, Florida where she resided with her second husband, the late Lloyd C. Leemis. Barbara’s last years were spent among the mountains she loved in Western North Carolina enjoying visits from the squirrels, birds and bears.

She is survived by four daughters, Jeanette Guess Baker of Winter Haven, Florida, Shirla Joy Guess Archer of Cashiers, North Carolina, Judith Guess Chaffin of Daphne, Alabama and Jo Guess Jones of Greenville, South Carolina. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren that she greatly loved. She will be missed but her legacy of loving God and family will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A public funeral service will be held Thursday, August 5th at the First Baptist Church Osprey, Florida.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown

Osprey First Baptist Church, Osprey, FL

Thursday 8/5, 10:00 am

Barbara Cross Guess Leemis of Cashiers, North Carolina passed away peacefully Friday, July 29, 2021, at the age of 91 surrounded by family after a short illness. She was the daughter of the late Blanche Lawson and Kenneth Carlysle Cross, Sr. Born in Sanford, Florida Barbara grew up in Bradenton, Florida and attended Stetson University.Continue Reading

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Since i was very young, wherever when we go as a family together she seems to be the leader of the clean your plate club. Aunt Bobbie’s was always a good inspiration for everyone. Always bright and bubbly. Love Bubba and family

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