Jan 2, 2024
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Barbara Bray Edwards was an American actress and singer best remembered for her role in The Andy Griffith Show (1960), a popular sitcom starring her then-husband, Andy Griffith. She was born on August 17, 1926, in Wilson, North Carolina, to James Spurgeon Edwards and Dixie Vance (Lamm) Edwards. She met Andy Griffith in college, where they both studied music. They married in 1949 and moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where Andy taught music in high school. Career and Family Life Barbara Bray Edwards and Andy Griffith pursued their dreams of becoming performers by traveling to New York City and auditioning for various roles. Andy Griffith soon landed a breakthrough role in the Broadway play No Time for Sergeants, which led to his successful career in television and film. Barbara Bray Edwards also appeared in some of his shows, such as The Andy Griffith Show and The Danny Thomas Show. She also performed as a soprano in various concerts and events. The couple adopted two children, Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. and Dixie Nann Griffith, as they could not have biological children. They raised their family in Los Angeles, California, where they bought a house in 1960. However, their marriage was not without problems, as Andy Griffith struggled with alcoholism, depression, and fame. They divorced in 1972, after 23 years of marriage. Later Years and Death Barbara Bray Edwards remarried in 1975 to Michael St. Clair, a businessman. She continued to live in Los Angeles and stayed in touch with her children and ex-husband. She died on July 23, 1980, at the age of 53, from undisclosed causes. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California. Andy Griffith died on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86, from a heart attack. Barbara Bray Edwards is often overshadowed by the fame and legacy of Andy Griffith, but she was a talented and accomplished woman in her own right. She was a loving mother, a supportive wife, and a gifted actress and singer. She left behind a lasting impression on the people who knew her and the fans who watched her.