Bernice M Barlow

Bernice M. Barlow passed away Sunday August 4, 2013. She was the eldest of 10 children born to James and Estelle (Brooks) Lowery in Minden, Louisiana on March 22, 1928. The family moved to Saginaw when Bernice was very young. She attended Potter Elementary School, Central Jr. High School and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1945. She married Charles Barlow on July 2, 1949 and to this union four children were born. Michael (deceased), Mitchell (Joyce), Belinda Barlow- Poole, all of Saginaw, Patrick Barlow of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Barlow was a long-time member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and served as a Trustee. She later united with the Messiah Missionary Baptist Church and served on the Trustee Board until her illness. Mrs. Barlow attended Delta College and received her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education from Michigan State University. She began her teaching career in 1964 at Potter Elementary School and she also taught at Jerome Elementary School and Merrill Park Elementary School retiring in 1996. She was very active in the Saginaw Education Association, serving on the executive committee and at state and national conventions. Mrs. Barlow was passionate about children, education and a fighter for civil rights. Her other organization affiliations include the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Board, Saginaw Housing Commission and the League of Women Voters. She was also a member of Eta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., having served as past Basileus. The one organization near and dear to her heart was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mrs. Barlow was elected President of the Saginaw Branch of NAACP in 1968, when the branch was on the verge of losing its charter. Under Mrs. Barlows sacrificial leadership and through her tireless advocacy, the branch has consistently been involved in civil rights issues locally, and on a state and national level. To honor her contribution to education and civil rights, the Saginaw Branch of the NAACP has honored her by presenting annually the Bernice Barlow Scholarship through the Saginaw Community Foundation. Her memories and love for family will be cherished by her three surviving children, her grandchildren, especially her boys Drake and DeMarcus Poole, Jaynaya Barlow, Bridgett (Austin)Caines, Michelle,Vatina, Telisha, Sharron and Monique Barlow; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Irene Lowery, Croydon, Pennsylvania; six brothers, Doris (Jennie) Willsboro, New Jersey, Lee (Leona) Lowery, Seattle, Washington, James (Helen) Lowery, Tracy, California, Bobby Lowery, Jonah Lowery, Timothy (Sandra) Lowery; sisters-in-law, Hester Lowery, Maggie Williams and Nadine Whelcher, both of Atlanta, Georgia, Marian (Charles) Oglestree, Wichita, Kansas; brother-in-law, Thomas (Billie) Barlow, Denver, Colorado; two godchildren, Michelle Jackson, Saginaw, Michigan, Michael Jackson, San Franciso, California; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including her special friends, Mrs. Leola Wilson, Joyce Woods and Alice Nickleberry. Mrs. Barlow was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers Wesley and Oscar Lowery.
Visitation: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries
Service Plans: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries