In memory of my dad's cousin, Earl Barlow

A few days ago I was in Publix and I thought I saw someone I recognized, but couldn't place her. As I walked around down a few more aisles it hit me, "that's Earl Barlow's wife, Nancy!" I think it took me a few minutes because I knew they lived in Leeds and this was in Hoover so I just wasn't expecting to see her. I had corresponded on Facebook and regular mail with Nancy in 2010 to invite the Barlow's to the Baucom Family Reunion at Tannehill but hadn't seen her in person in quite a few years. She was with her two sons, Earl Lee and David.


(I can't exactly remember the last time I saw Earl & Nancy before running into Nancy in Publix. I distinctly remember seeing them at the Baucom Family Reunion way back in 1981 and several times when they came out to visit Lessie and Comer, but I had probably seen them at a funeral in more recent years pasts. One thing I remember about being around Nancy was that she was always smiling.)

Earl Lee, Earl, Nancy, Big Papaw, Margie Baucom Barlow, David

I tapped her on the shoulder and introduced myself to remind her who I was and asked about Earl. I know some of you will remember that they couldn't come to the Baucom Reunion at Tannihill State Park in 2010 because Earl was bedridden in the nursing home. He'd has several strokes and was afflicted with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.


Nancy then told me that Earl had passed away back in October of 2011.


I was sad to hear of another member of my dad's generation passing and just wanted to take a moment to memorialize Earl Barlow, husband & father, son of Margie Evelyn Baucom Barlow, grandson of  Estell "Doc" Baucom.


March 12, 1942 - October 9, 2011.


BARLOW, EARL age 69, of Leeds, AL passed away on October 09, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Barlow, sons, Earl Lee and David Barlow, and sister, Kathy Nix (Tommy). Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 1:00PM from Cedar Grove Cemetery