Gilda Turner Barnwell

Ms. Gilda Turner Barnwell, 78, of Walterboro, entered into rest eternal Wednesday morning, November 6, 2024, at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston.

Born June 14, 1946, in Gainesville, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Gilbert Eugene Turner, Sr. and Eugenia Carter Turner.  Gilda was a graduate of Winthrop College with a Bachelor of Psychology.   She worked at the Coastal Center and the State Hospital as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor before marrying and moving to Athens, Georgia.  Gilda worked a beautiful career of 30 years as a Counselor with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, where her primary focus was to provide counseling and guidance to handicapped individuals to enable them to go to work or return to work despite handicapping conditions.  She was recognized by her peers when presented the Georgia Rehabilitation Counselor Association "Counselor of the Year" award and was also recognized by the business community as "Woman of the Year" while serving as President of the Athens Junior Woman's Club.

While in Athens, she was an active member of Saint Gregory the Great Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Vestry, Altar Guild, served as chairman of the Altar Guild, Pastoral Care Team and various other committees within the church.

In 2000, Gilda returned to her beloved hometown of Walterboro, where she was loved by the people of her community.

Endeared to her Episcopalian and Anglican faith; after returning home, she became a part of St. Jude’s Church on the corner of Fishburne and Wichman Street in the Historic District of Walterboro. She was currently a member of the church’s Vestry, the governing board of the church, and was also an Usher.  Gilda was active in many aspects of the church’s work and was an iconic figure with the church’s Altar Guild, recruiting anyone that came her way to join and serve.  Gilda was a member of The Daughters of The King and was also a long-time member and current President of Saint Jude’s Anglican Church Women. Gilda was always present and always serving.  She in her own way, made sure everything was right and ready and always took great pride in the work she performed.

Gilda never stopped going, and in her retirement years, she seemed to work harder than ever.  She could accomplish almost anything that she set her mind to.  She worked for several years as a teller at First Federal of South Carolina in Walterboro and through her love for helping others began working at Brice Herndon Funeral Homes greeting friends and comforting others through their grief.  Gilda was currently working with the South Carolina Artisan Center in Walterboro and as a talented artist, she was juried into the South Carolina Artisan Center in 2011, an honor only held by a select few in the Lowcountry.  She was also a talented seamstress and was highly sought after for her alteration work.

A member of Mayfield Garden Club, she has served as Secretary and President and was also a member of Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society, the Colleton Museum and Colleton County Memorial Library; and the Red Hat Society.  Gilda was also a member and past President of the Board of Disabilities and Special Needs in Colleton County.

Never shying away from a challenge, there was nothing too involved for her to take a chance.  She was always in the midst of things and always genuinely enjoyed being a part of whatever circumstance or opportunity came her way. Gilda enjoyed painting, crafting and could even been seen playing an Elf at Christmas.

Surviving are her son, Courtney Carter Barnwell and his wife, Dr. Callie Barnwell of Anderson; a sister-in-law, Catherine McDonald Turner; niece, Amanda Brooks DuBose and her husband, Dale of Florence; nephew, Paul McArthur Brooks of Greenville; and her former husband, Thomas O. Barnwell, Jr. of Arizona; as well as her sweet companion, “Barkley”.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gilbert Eugene Turner, Jr.

The Relatives and Friends of Ms. Gilda Turner Barnwell are invited to attend her funeral liturgy which will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, November 16, 2024, from St. Jude’s Church, 907 Wichman Street, Walterboro.   The Reverend Newman Lawrence, Rector.  The family will receive friends during a reception following the Requiem in Skardon Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed in her memory to the following:  St. Jude’s Church Altar Guild Fund, 907 Wichman Street, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488; or to, Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter, 33 Poor Farm Road, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.

Arrangements by:  THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.