Family to establish scholarship for children in honour of Barbara Gayle
Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 5:20 PMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Slain veteran journalist Barbara Gayle impacted so many lives that a scholarship is being curated in her honour, spearheaded by her son, Neil Josephs, and daughter, Dr Allison Williams.
The announcement was made yesterday during her thanksgiving service at which several enlightening tributes flowed from those who knew the selfless and loving, award- winning journalist and mother well.
Josephs said he wanted to see his mother’s name and legacy live on, especially given the many children he knew she helped with schooling.
“Oftentimes she would call and request that I could bring a phone so that it could help online schooling for a child,” her son said as he delivered a remembrance during the funeral. “I found it amusing many times, hearing her telling them ‘Tell him what phone you want, nuh. Him cool, mon. Nuh worry ‘bout it’. And she didn’t even know if I could afford it, but that’s just how she was. Once she is going to help, she is going to get it done.”
He and his sister will be maintaining a scholarship in her name to continue helping students as much as possible.
“A portion of the offering collected during today’s service will go towards supporting this scholarship, and anyone who is willing to help and be a part of this programme can reach out to my sister and I and see how you could help. We’d appreciate that,” Josephs said, adding that his family was deeply appreciative of the outpouring of love during their difficult time.
In addition to Josephs, remembrances were delivered by Williams and Gayle’s sister, Dorothy Clarke.
“I was proud of her, and growing up, I didn’t feel like I had to listen to the news because my mom was the news. She also inspired hope in others through her kindness,” said Williams.
Said Clarke: “My sister was my confidante, my friend, and my prayer warrior … . She was humble, she was fun, she had a mischievous smile which enveloped you. A real daughter, mother, sister, aunty, and friend. My oldest sister’s voice is silent today, but her legacy lives on in her goodly and encouraging ways and acts of kindness. That can never be silenced.”
TRIBUTES TO BARBARA GAYLE
“She provided a voice for the voiceless, whether they be judges, attorneys or court administrators … . My friend did not deserve this type of death. Ms B, as I usually call her, we shall certainly miss you. Walk good, Ms B.” - Hugh Wildman, attorney-at-law
“She was a powerhouse … . It was a privileges to have Barbara as one of my great big-women friends. She was priceless as a friend, an encourager, and her faith in God was awe inspiring. I will miss her. I will miss the morning messages. I will miss discussing cases with her. I will miss discussing life.” - Paula Llewellyn, director of public prosecutions
“Barbara had a sense of humour that was second to none … She set a remarkable example in the way she conducted herself, thereby earning the respect of her colleagues, officers of the court, and readers of the Gleaner newspaper … My lasting thought of Barbara will always be that she was the type of person that my mother describes as a decent human being. She was courteous thoughtful, kind, humble, and a true professional.”- Justice Gloria Smith, retired senior puisne judge
“A woman of selfless, shirt-off-your-back kind of generosity, one without guile and one who had an uncompromising belief that there is some good in the worst of us … My dear friend had the ability to see people from the lowest to the loftiest. Many of us see through people and never truly see them , not Barbara Gayle.” - Wyvolyn Gager, former Gleaner editor-in-chief
“Her meticulous reporting of criminal trials, civil suites, appeals, and landmark decisions reflect a commitment to justice and transparency. Her integrity and professionalism earned her the trust and respect of judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and court staff.” - Dashan Hendricks, president of the Press Association of Jamaica
“As important as her formidable body of work is, the fact is that Barbara was a decent human being, a genuinely kind soul, gentle and gentile. Barbara was a generous mentor, a seemingly bottomless repository of information about the courts, always willing to give guidance on how to approach complex issues.” - Jovan Johnson, senior Gleaner journalist on behalf of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group
“She (Barbara) instilled in them (children) the thought that your address should not define who you were and that children had rights.” - Elder Alden Witter, of the Riverton Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church
“She was quite the prayer warrior … . Barbara endeared herself to many residents in the area surrounding our estate. Through her friendly nature and genuine love for others, she came to know a myriad of others in the surrounding communities - children, the elderly, small farmers.” - LeRoy Morris, neighbour and family friend
“Today, as we gather in sorrow, we also take a moment to reflect on the impact of Barbara’s life. Barbara Jennifer Gayle, Holmwood Class of ‘61-’65, exemplified the high ideals upon which Holmwood was founded in 1936. It was only fitting that on March 3, 2023, she was inducted into the past students roll of honour, achieving the highest recognition bestowed on a Holmwood graduate, that of distinguished past student.” - Franklin Williams, of Holmwood Technical, Class of 1964