Barbara Gayle DePriest, a beacon of unwavering love and selfless generosity, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025, in Franklin, Tennessee, at the age of 83. Born on August 15, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the parents Ernest and Christine Shirley, Barbara’s life was a tapestry of devotion to her family, a testament to her nurturing spirit, and a reflection of the joy she found in her many interests.
Barbara’s journey through life was shared with her beloved husband, Edwin DePriest, with whom she shared years of wonderful memories. She was the cherished sister of Louis Shirley (Morrissey), the loving mother of Susan Alpert (Rick Neil), Sarah Ignatz (Henry Hilson), Julia Palmer (Kenneth), and the late Deborah Ignatz. Her role as a grandmother to Richard Schroeder, Perry Alpert, Samuel Palmer (Crystal), and Catherine Palmer, as well as a great-grandmother to Corbin Schroeder, Hayden Palmer, Mason Palmer, and Peyton Palmer, was embraced with every fiber of her being, each child holding a special place in her heart.
Barbara’s life was one of active engagement and creativity. Her gardens were a testament to her patience and attention to detail, blossoming under her tender care. Sewing was another passion through which she expressed her love, creating beautiful garments and keepsakes that will serve as cherished memories for her family. Her hands were rarely still, always busy at work on a project that would bring joy to others.
Friends and family alike will remember Barbara for her loving nature, her willingness to give without expecting anything in return, and the warm, welcoming home she kept. She had a knack for making everyone feel special, seen, and heard, and she will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Christine Shirley, husband, Marvin Rosenfarb, with whom she shared forty-four cherished years, and her beloved daughter, Deborah Ignatz, whose memory continued to be a source of inspiration for her. She found love again with Edwin DePriest, and together they navigated the joys and challenges of life unwavering support for each other. The legacy of Barbara’s kind spirit, her zest for life, and her nurturing love will live on through her family.
In her passing, Barbara leaves behind a void that cannot be filled, but also a luminous example of how to lead a life with grace, compassion, and an open heart. As we say goodbye to Barbara Gayle DePriest, we celebrate the extraordinary life she led and the countless ways she touched our lives. Her memory will be treasured forever as a guiding light of unconditional love and a reminder of the beauty that can flourish through selflessness and generosity.
Barbara’s life will be celebrated in private graveside ceremony, where family will gather to honor her memory on Monday, June 23, 2025 at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
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