Mildred "Millie" Barrow passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, May 13, in Fort Worth, Texas, following a brief hospital stay. She was surrounded by the love of family and the beautiful memories of a life fully lived.
Millie was born on March 23 in Celeste, Texas, on the family farm to Woodrow and Pauline Townsend. She was the middle of three sisters and spent her childhood in Greenville, Texas, where life was simple, joyful, and centered around family and friends. Those early years gave her a lifelong appreciation for community, adventure, and the importance of loving people well.
During her high school years, Millie proudly served on the Flash drill team. It was also in Greenville where she met the love of her life, Ron Barrow, while he was "dragging" Lee Street. For Millie and Ron, it was love at first sight. They were married on September 2, 1961 at Park Street Baptist Church in Greenville and began building a beautiful life together filled with love, laughter, hard work, and cherished memories.
Millie's first job was working in a factory earning just sixty cents an hour. Through determination, intelligence, and grace, she worked her way up to become an Executive Assistant for Safeway. Later in life, she earned her real estate license and found great joy helping first-time homebuyers achieve their dreams of owning a home.
A woman of deep faith, Millie loved God and faithfully served alongside her church family at Lake Leon Baptist Church. She was also passionately devoted to Texas Extension Education Association (TEEA), where she held many leadership positions, including President. Her TEEA family brought her immense joy, and she was always excitedly planning the next trip, event, or adventure with dear friends.
Millie had a true love for travel and embraced every opportunity to experience the world. Her adventures carried her across England, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, and Ireland. She loved creating memories, meeting people, and savoring every experience life had to offer.
More than anything, Millie loved her family deeply. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Sherinda Barrow and Albert Garcia of Eastland, Texas; her beloved grandchildren, Coy Johnson and Colbi Johnson of Fort Worth; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Sophie "Alex," Riley, Abigail, and Lyra. She is also survived by her sister, Ellen Atherton of Greenville, Texas.
Millie was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Ron Barrow; her parents, Woodrow and Pauline Townsend; her sister, Mary Townsend; and her lifelong childhood best friend, Jakie Martin.
Millie will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, unwavering faith, quick wit, loving heart, and the joy she brought into every room she entered. Her family finds comfort knowing she is reunited with those she loved and is now forever at peace.
Two Celebration of Life services will be held in Millie's honor. The first service was held on Saturday, May 23, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Leon Baptist Church in Eastland, Texas. A second service will be held on Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 a.m. at Floyd Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate the beautiful life and legacy of Millie Barrow.
