Sheila Kirby Barfield departed this earthly life on May 12, 2015 after a seven year struggle with ovarian cancer. She was born September 6, 1944 in LaGrange, GA. She is predeceased by her parents James Hobson Kirby and Ravinell Strain Kirby and her husband of forty eight years Clement Walter Barfield. Sheila leaves behind two sons Walter Kees Barfield and wife Kelly of Port Richey, FL, and Christopher Trent Barfield of Pensacola. The five grandchildren who gave her joy and delight in daily living are Coulson, Mary Eloise, Megan, Kacee and Kayla. Other immediate family members are sister Laura Denise Welsh and husband Paul of LaGrange, GA, Edward and Vickie Barfield of Pensacola, Carolyn Barfield Jackson and husband John of Virginia Beach, four nephews and two nieces. Sheila graduated from West Point High School in 1962 with a very small class of close friends. After a year at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Sheila moved to Atlanta where she met Clement Barfield, a dental student at Emory who was from Pensacola. Sheila and Clem were married December 26, 1965 at the Chapel in Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA. They spent the first three years of their marriage in Frankfurt Germany where Clem was a captain in the U.S. Army. The young couple enjoyed exploring Europe together. Returning to Pensacola in 1968 with their son Kees, Clem began his practice of dentistry while Sheila made a home. The Barfields were blessed with a second son, Christopher, in 1971. When the boys were young she returned to school part time and earned her BA in accounting from the University of West Florida. In 1985, she became a licensed certified public accountant. After working for two local firms, she opened her office in Cordova Square and remained there until retirement in 2008. She and Clem earned their pilot's license and enjoyed flying, traveling, fly fishing, sailing, cooking, entertaining, and watching sunsets from the pier at Bahia Paz on Pensacola Beach. Sheila was active in her sons' education and activities. She was den leader of Cub Scouts and Webelos. When Chris began swimming at Greater Pensacola Aquatics Club, she assumed a leadership role on the board serving as treasurer and then president. Sheila was instrumental in the early growth of GPAC leading negotiations with UWF to establish pool time for the swimmers which continues to benefit current day participants. Sheila enjoyed the cultural activities of Pensacola as well as Mardi Gras and Fiesta organizations. She was committed to her community and served on the boards of Dental Auxiliary, Junior League of Pensacola, and Panhandle Tiger Bay Club. In January, 2008 a diagnosis of ovarian cancer set Sheila on a determined path to battle this aggressive disease. As a woman of faith and a member of Pensacola Beach Community Church, Sheila intensified her faith journey and was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Bible Study Fellowship every Wednesday at East Brent Baptist Church. The Bible study became a focal point for her enhanced spiritual growth. Her faith led the way toward better physical well-being along with conventional treatment at Sacred Heart and Shands. In addition, Sheila traveled abroad to clinics in Germany and Columbia for alternative treatment. Her valiant efforts have given others comfort as she connected to cancer patients worldwide maintaining relationships through e-mail and sharing information about new treatments. She enjoyed opening her family home in West Point, GA where she and Clem entertained friends and family at what became known as the Kirby house. Sheila successfully left a positive indelible mark on those who were blessed to know her, especially her children and grandchildren. Visitation will be held 4-7pm Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola. The funeral service will be held 10:00am Monday, May 18, 2015 at the Pensacola Beach Community Church with Rev. Michael Matheny, Sr. and Dr. Chuck Randle officiating. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery. Pallbearers are Darren Barfield, Andrew Jackson, Joshua Weathers, James Mallett, Paul Welsh and Jim Balcom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Barfield Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32514.