Brenda Lee Barrow

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 9:00 AM until time of service at Eagle Wright Baptist Church, 4664 Main Street, Gray, LA 70359. Funeral Service begins at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 3658 W. Main Street, Gray, LA 70359.

Born to the late Ernest Collins and Ruby “Lula” Antoine, Brenda was the fourth of eighteen children—a place in the family that shaped her into a woman of strength, compassion, and quiet resilience. She was baptized at Eagle Right Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member throughout her life.

On April 17, 1967, Brenda married her sweetheart, Melvin Barrow Jr., beginning a love story that lasted more than 58 years. Their union was blessed with four children: Denise, Melvin, and Christopher Barrow, and Sheimekia Nixon. Brenda’s greatest joy was her family, and she cherished every moment spent watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gather, laugh, and love one another.

Brenda dedicated over 30 years of service to the Terrebonne Parish School System, where she worked with commitment and pride. Her gentle spirit, patience, and steady presence touched countless lives over the decades.

She enjoyed watching her “stories,” working through puzzle books, and simply being surrounded by her family. These small joys reflected the heart of who she was—steady, loving, and happiest when her home was full.

Brenda leaves to cherish her memory her children: Denise, Melvin, and Christopher Barrow, and Sheimekia Nixon; fifteen grandchildren—Terrell (Dana), Gerhonda (Reco), Antonia (Nelton), Darnell, Kentrell, Darell, Gerard, Lorenzo, Richard, Chrionnshay, Charyse, Christopher Jr., Alajah, Tierney, and Ahmad Jr.; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; six brothers—Ernest Antoine, Alfred “Diane” Collins, Paul Harris, Joseph Harris, and Carl Harris; six sisters—Janis (Carl) McGuinn, Carolyn Mackie, Laurie Ward, Yvonne Jackson, Mary Ann Edmund, and Janet Price; her godchild, Jacqueline (Oliver) Holmes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Barrow Jr.; her daughter, Patrice Barrow; grandchildren, Baby Barrow and Zoria Barrow; great-grandchild, Nova James; her parents, Ruby “Lulu” Adams and Ernest Collins; her maternal and paternal grandparents; brothers, Charles Collins, Chester Antoine, and Calvin Harris; and sisters, Linda Thomas, Helen Antoine, Valerie Adams, and Audrey Barrow.

Brenda will be remembered for her unwavering love, her devotion to family, and the warmth she brought into every room. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured, guided, and