Elia Wylene Barmore Graham, born in 1933, died peacefully on February 9, 2026, at the age of 92, in her home filled with family and friends. Wylene was beloved by all who knew her, and she leaves to her family, friends, and community a legacy worthy of imitation.

 

Born at home on 6th Avenue in Bradenton to Percy and Ethel (Bennett) Barmore—with Dr. L.W. Blake attending—Wylene was a fourth-generation Floridian. Her father was born in Apalachicola and worked as a shipbuilding carpenter, a painter, a beekeeper, and the janitor at the professional building in downtown Bradenton. Her mother, born in Ellenton, worked in a seashell store and as a nurse’s aide at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Before Wylene’s birth, her parents were tenders of the Anna Maria municipal dock.

 

Wylene attended Ballard Elementary and Bradenton Junior High before graduating with honors from Manatee County High School in 1951. During those years, she was active in student government and academic clubs, basketball (team member/captain) and drill team, and, in her senior year, served as president of Mam’Selles Service Club.

 

At the encouragement of her sister Norma, Wylene attended Florida State University for two years. Through the generosity of Mrs. Lillian “Patty” Bishop of Bradenton, she received a scholarship to attend Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Wylene was always grateful for the opportunity Mrs. Bishop gave her. In 1956, Wylene received the Founder’s Medal for Nursing at Vanderbilt, and was named “Miss Student Nurse” of Nashville. Her community sponsors praised her as “a catalytic force—her charm attracts people; her selflessness endears her to them; her initiative, ideas, and sense of values inspire them.”

 

While at Vanderbilt, Wylene met her true love and partner for life, Angus W. Graham, Jr. of Miami (VUSM ’55). They married in June 1956 at First Methodist Church in Bradenton. Inspired by their love for each other, Wylene and Angus embarked on many adventures together.

 

By 1962, the couple had three children and had lived in Ann Arbor, Miami, Fort Benning, and Bradenton. Their next move, in 1963, was “worlds away” to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The couple bought and “boarded” a Land Rover in England and drove their family to Dhahran on the Arabian Gulf. Wylene navigated the move and new culture with grace, enthusiasm, and song.

 

While exploring and camping around the Arabian Peninsula, Wylene prepared countless meals for their growing family on a Coleman stove, set on a shelf attached to the side of the vehicle. When their fourth child was born, a crib was fitted snugly in the back of the Land Rover.

 

Wylene and Angus didn’t slow down after returning to the States in 1967. Wylene gave birth to their fifth child in Miami, and soon after, the family moved to Bradenton—where they bought property, built their home, and started a hobby farm.

 

In 1982, Wylene and Angus returned to Saudi Arabia for two years with their youngest child, and lived in Jeddah on the Red Sea. Upon returning to Bradenton, Wylene renewed her nursing license and worked as a maternal-child visiting nurse for Manatee County Public Health Department, and later, devoted herself to assisting Angus with his medical practice.

 

Wylene nurtured their five children and taught them the value of hard work, Christian faith, and service leading by example. She volunteered extensively—as a docent at the Bishop Museum and Ringling Museum; with the Manatee County Medical Auxiliary, MHS Boosters, and MHS PTA; as an officer at the Manatee County Historical Society; as a board member of the HHS Department of Children and Families; and as a Vestry member and Sunday School teacher at Christ Episcopal Church. As a passionate supporter of public education, Wylene often attended school board meetings that ran long into the night.

 

Wylene was a grandmother to 17 grandchildren—her first arriving nearly 40 years ago. She taught them how to kill poisonous snakes in the yard, play Hearts, and brew tamarind tea from the tree outside the back porch. She emphasized the importance of civic engagement and awareness of world events. She cherished the opportunity to travel the world with each of her grandchildren, broadening their horizons and sharing precious time with them on eight unforgettable trips.

 

Wylene, an avid reader, never left home without a book or article to feed her insatiable curiosity—whether it was a piece on Florida’s rich history or the latest research about her favorite creature, the horseshoe crab.

 

Wylene lived out her faith through kindness to all, always extending an open invitation at the family table—room for one more. And she prayed without ceasing.

 

There is so much more to say about the life of this remarkable lady, but not enough room to share here. Her family will keep telling her stories and, in their own ways, carry forward the legacy of her extraordinary character.

 

Wylene is preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Ethel (Bennett) Barmore, her sister, Norma Louise (and husband Harry) Folsom, niece Sarah Wylene Folsom, and nephew John Folsom.

 

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Angus, her five children and spouses, her grandchildren (and their spouses), and one great-grandchild.

 

Angus III and Caroline Graham (Brevard, NC) and their children Garrett (fiancé Clare), Davis (his daughter Lila), Will (Caroline), Noah, and Eliza (Jacob);

Davis and Trish Graham (Bradenton) and their children Davis, Mary Grace, Andrew, and Sarah;

Rosemary and Shayne Mora (Bellingham, WA) and their children Savannah, Scout, and Liam;

Bonnie and Lex Green (Brevard, NC) and their children Georgia, Alex, and Graham;

Megan and Jamey Chatham (Bradenton) and their children Hayes (Corinne) and Janie;

Harry (Janett) Folsom, nephew;

Nancy (David) Beardsley, niece, and their son Brett;

Gsare, Terri, and Jenny; our family friends and caregivers.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be given to:

The Wylene Barmore Graham Scholarship Fund for Nursing at the

Manatee Community Foundation

(under Tribute Information, specify Wylene Barmore Graham Scholarship Fund)

https://manateecf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1203

2820 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205,

p. 941-747-7765

 

or

 

The Manatee County Historical Society

 

A Celebration of Wylene’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men~” Colossians 3:23