Jurita Gayle Barber

Jurita Gayle Barber, United States Air Force Retired, 72, of Fayetteville died peacefully in her home on November 10, 2025. 

Jurita was born in Searcy, Arkansas to Ella Mae and Charles Junior in1953.  She graduated from Twin Lakes, Montecillo High School before attending Polytechnical University, California studying Landscape Architecture. She continued her studies at Fayetteville State University in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Her career spans many disciplines including Administrative Assistant with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, California; U.S. Air Force Communications and Navigation Specialist for Strategic Nuclear Bombers, England; she became a Training Instructor and later Public Affairs Officer at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; she joined the Department of State Foreign Service serving in Istanbul, Turkey and Washington D.C.; she served with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander, U.S. Special Operation Command as a Public Affairs Officer and culminated her government service with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jurita loved traveling in the United States and Internationally, she toured on motorcycle with her husband through Europe, she loved bird watching, listening to 60’s music and gardening.  She especially loved the ocean and beach combing with her dogs. She was a great friend and never met a stranger.

Jurita is preceded in death by her parents and brother Mark - U.S. Army Veteran. She is survived by her husband Carlos Burgos – U.S. Army Retired; brothers Charles Michael, Thomas - U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and Timothy; three nieces Katrina, Megan and Jurita Mekail; two great nieces Hailey and Linsey; three great nephews Jeremy, Eric and Justin; and six grandchildren Cameron, Madison, Tristan, Bonnie, Margeaux, and Rhiannon.

The Family will receive friends from 3-5 pm on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Manna Church on Cliffdale Road. Jurita’s graveside service, with Full Military Honors, will be held Friday, December 5, 2025, from 12:00 to 12:30 pm at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery near Ft. Bragg.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Boxer Dog Rescue Shelters or your local dog rescue shelters.

Special thanks to the Cape Fear Valley Hospital nurses, specialists, doctors, palliative and hospice care specialist and Veteran Affairs Home Care specialists who work tirelessly to cure and sustain Jurita these past ten months – Bless you all!

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

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