Melinda Richardson Barrow passed away the morning of April 18, 2017 and has been surrounded by her close family and friends for the past several weeks in love and prayers.
Born almost two decades after her closest brother, she was raised in a house full of men that delighted in the chance to show her how to fire a rifle and pluck a fish out of the water. As the only girl in a group of brothers, she was the apple of her father’s eye and treasured by her mother.
In high school she was an active member in numerous clubs, a member of the cheer squad and thespian guild. Her high school annual is covered in notes from friends that she maintained through her entire life and they all thought she was a “swell girl” and always “tops!”
She attended Lindenwood College in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She pledged Chi Omega in 1955 and maintained many friendships through the years with a large number of her sorority sisters.
Married to Dr. Don H. Barrow in 1955 at First Christian Church in El Dorado, the pair had two sons, Donald H. Barrow Jr. and David A. Barrow. Upon moving back to El Dorado, Melinda threw herself into the community as an advocate and volunteer. She was a member of numerous clubs offering her fiery spirit to every cause she took up and could always be counted on as the first one to lend a hand. This could be most felt at her home church, St. Mary’s Episcopal.
One might call her a “Homemaker,” but anyone who visited her around any holiday would have given her the title of “Home designer.” Every holiday was an excuse to cover the house inside and out with beautifully placed decorations for every occasion, and she was featured in several articles through the years for her decorative taste.
Never one to meet a stranger and a friend to all she met, Melinda will be missed by many and forgotten by few. She made her mark wherever she went and spread happiness and joy to all those around her.
She was the daughter of Sam M. and Ruby Richardson, who preceded her in death; as well as her son, Donald H. Barrow Jr.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Don H. Barrow; son and daughter-in-law, David and Peggy Barrow; granddaughters, Lindsey Perry and her husband, Andy, and Sela Barrow; as well as grandsons, Austin and his wife, Laura, Sam and Drew; and great-grandchildren, Max, Jason, Harper and Olivia.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with Father Charles Chapman officiating. A private burial for the family will be held under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Barrow residence, 1801 N. Madison. Parking will be available at the Municipal Auditorium with a shuttle running to the Barrow residence from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 512 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.