Ruby Grace (Hill) Barrow

Ruby Grace (Hill) Barrow was born in Snow Hill, NC on December 14, 1929. Her parents were Harvey Hill and Callie Mae Hill.

Grace was the oldest of six siblings. Her father was a farmer, and she was one of his helpers. While he was raising tobacco, one of her jobs was to rid the crops (by hand) of the worms. She was far too squeamish for the job, so she got a clothespin and a pair of scissors. When someone looked her way, she diligently rid the fields of the fat, green worms. When no one was looking, she left them to fend for themselves. No wonder Grandpa was never a "rich tobacco farmer."

After she turned 18, a young World War II, prisoner of war, vet by the name of Elbert Barrow came calling. They were married on December 26, 1947; and, to this union were born two girls, Barbara Gail and Rebecca Ann. Grace was a wife, mother, homemaker, and pastor's wife for many years. Everyone loved to put their feet under Grace's table. She was such a delicious Southern cook. She was loved by Elbert. He used to say that he had grace two ways. He had the Grace of God and he had Grace. She was his queen.

Grace & Elbert pastored churches in Newport News, VA, Thomasville, NC, Graham, NC and Kinston, NC. She was greatly loved as pastor's wife. She was a true "Sothern Belle" in the eyes of her girls.

In May of 2016, she was no longer physically able to maintain her own home in Kinston. She moved to Missouri to be with her daughter. She was loved by the people of Lowry City, and they often teased her just so they could hear her Southern drawl. She told her daughters, "I just can't understand these people. They talk too fast." She was so loved by many!

She is preceded in death by her husband Elbert, her parents Harvey & Callie, and one sister Elsie Johnson.

She is survived by her sisters, Vivian Elmore, Jean Blomberg, Peggy Tugwell, and one brother, Carl Hill and wife, Glenda. She is also survived by her two daughters, Gail Elsey and husband Steve, along with their children Allen, Anthony, Alicia, Andy, and spouses and children and Becky Harley and husband Burton, along with their children Brent, Christy, Cherilyn, Kevin, Daniel, Tonya, and Timothy, along with their spouses and children. Survivors also include 20 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Howard-Carter Funeral Home. Funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m. with burial following at Westview Cemetery.