Gene Barrows, Jr.
Somerville A memorial service for Gene Barrows, Jr., 67, was held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with Bro. David Taylor, Bro. Jim Clemons and Bro. David Clay officiating. Burial was in the Mt Carmel Church Cemetery. Mr. Barrows was born Monday, April 22, 1957, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Gene Arthur Barrows, Sr. and Joyanna Paul Barrows. Early on the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2025, our beloved Gene Barrows, left his earthly home and failing body, to go fishing with his life-long buddy and brother, Robert. No longer in pain, or hampered in his movements, he climbed over the fence with the “No Fishing” sign and sunk his line into the Good Lord’s own private fishing hole. Gene’s only regret was in leaving behind the girl of his dreams, his wife of 48 years, Linda. Their love was the love-at-first-sight kind of love that only comes around once in a lifetime. Linda was only 16; Gene was a few years older so her daddy, Jake, wasn’t having it. He made Gene toe the line for at least six months before he even let them date. Gene was a trooper and did whatever her daddy asked of him; then eventually they were allowed to date; and finally on January 28, 1978, Gene got his wish and married Linda Renae Brown, the love of his life. More importantly, Gene did what he promised Jake he would do; he loved Linda unconditionally until his very last breath. Gene was a hard worker and did many different jobs during their life together; G & L Services; driving a truck for Dr. Pepper; Pawpaw’s Used Cars, and a Photography Studio. He owned and operated many businesses together with his wife. They worked hard hand in hand together 6 and 7 days a week to give their growing family what they needed. They were together as a family in a world where that wasn’t always the case. Gene had a good sense of humor; he was a teaser and a joker. If he wasn’t giving you a hard time or teasing you about something then he either didn’t know you very well, didn’t think like you, or didn’t think you were worth the time of day. If he was giving you a hard time or teasing you, you knew that you were liked or loved by him. After his stroke, his love of humor carried over to his tablet. Some of the lucky ones would receive numerous funny memes in our Facebook messenger many times daily. He was an excellent pool player and always found “the” pool hall in whichever town he lived. To say he could “bring home the bacon” would be an understatement! He was that good. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Walter McElfresh; his grandparents; and his father-in-law, Jake A Brown. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Linda Renae Brown Barrows; his sons, James Michael Barrows (Jan), Jeremy Dewayne Barrows, and Trace Jacob Barrows (Cassandra); his daughter, Angel Renae Barrows Hood (Trey); brothers, Andrew Farmer (Cheryl), Jeff McElfresh, Paul Rich (Lori), and Joe Barrows (Heather); sisters, Linda Ann Barrows Buttermore (James), Linda Jo Whitley (Tom), Barbie Torbell (Chris) and Tricia Crossley (Chris); four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; an aunt, Donna Bessken; and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews.
