Archie L. Barrow, Sr.

On August 31,1931, Archie Lee Barrow Sr. was born to his parents Nancy and Reverend Willie T Barrow in Belhaven N.C. Archie was educated in the N.C Public School system. Upon graduation He joined and loved the US, Air Force, and celebrated his Honorable Discharge in 1955.

After returning home Archie became the proprietor of his own Custodial business. Eventually Archie moved to Long Island, New York, where he worked, and retired as a custodian for the Baldwin School System. 

In 1978 Archie’s sister Neva, introduced him to his future wife, and last love, Shirley Smith. They married in 1980. Of that union they had one daughter, Shiekaria. After his retiring from Baldwin School system in 1993, they relocated to Chesapeake, Virginia. Once in Virginia, Archie began another custodial business. He successfully ran his business until his health began to fail in 1996.

Archie loved life. His favorite foods were Fried chicken, grits and his wife’s delicious sweet potato pie. He also enjoyed throwing a BBQ on the grill and entertaining friends and family. Shirley and Archie loved to travel enjoying California, Florida, Canada, and other places. The one trip Archie reminisced about the most, was his Thanksgiving surprise to his wife Shirley. He didn’t want her to have to cook on Thanksgiving Day for so many, as she often did. So he whisked her off to Hawaii!

In his golden years Archie’s favorite thing  to do was playing the Virginia State  Lottery! When his health declined he was moved to Chesapeake Healthcare, where, he received the best of care until his passing.

Archie was predeceased by: his parents, Nancy and Reverend Willie T Barrow, his siblings and his children:  Diane Brown, Barbara Adams, Mary Winslow, Archie R. Barrow and Mr. Victor Emerson. 

Mr. Archie leaves behind children: Shiekaria {Preston) and Archie L Barrow Jr. (Cynthia); five step-children: Terence Smith (Karen), Darnell Smith, Traymont Smith, Felicia Thomson, Marleccia “Hermanetta” Smith, Valerie Ware, Serena Scott, Arthur Scott, Mr. Stacy Barrow, Tonya Barrow, Sherry Emerson, and Mr. Archie Ware; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins .

Most present in his life were: his loving wife, Mrs. Shirley Barrow; his daughter, Shiekaria; son-in-law, Preston Evans; their children: Skylar, Parker, Kayden and Kamrin; a grandson, Derrick Brown and Archie’s son,  Archie L. Barrow Jr.

A big highlight of Archie’s life was being babysitter his grandson, now 21 year old Kamrin. It was Archie that stepped up to the plate to babysit for his infant  grandson as his daughter Shiekaria answered her “call of duty” by following her father’s path into the United States military.

He also fondly reminisced  of the times with his grandson Derrick Brown, who came to spend time with him and his son Archie L. Barrow, who always remained in his life.