Sugie Williams Barrow

BARROW, SUGIE WILLIAMS (1923 ~ 2015). The following is an obituary for Sugie Williams Barrow, spouse of former Texas Supreme Court Justice Charles Barrow. The obituary was provided by Porter Loring Mortuary.

SUGIE WILLIAMS BARROW, 91, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2015. She was predeceased by her husband, Justice Charles Wallace Barrow, Sr., and her son, Charles Wallace Barrow, Jr. (Wally).

She is survived by her sons John Douglas Barrow and wife Louise of Corpus Christi, David Williams Barrow and wife Irene of Flagstaff, Arizona, and James Hunter Barrow and wife Alison of San Antonio; eight grandchildren: Hunter Denson Barrow of Austin; Lucas Jackson Barrow of Dallas; Justin Colter Barrow of Corpus Christi; Katie Barrow Schneider (Bobby) of Berkeley, California; Henry Galahad Barrow of Berkeley, California; Travis Hunter Barrow (Karen) of Birmingham, Alabama; Scarlette Barrow Moorman (Zack) of San Antonio; and Thomas Charles Barrow of San Antonio, and one great-granddaughter, Breanna Barrow of San Antonio; her sister-in-laws Bea Little (Loftin) of San Antonio; and Linda Williams (Sid III, dec’d) of Pearsall, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Sugie Barrow was born August 23, 1923, in Hindes, Texas to Sidney J. Williams, Jr., and Aline Glenn Williams, who were merchants and had ranching interests for many years in the area. Sugie Barrow attended school in Hindes and Charlotte, Texas, and then enrolled at Baylor University in Waco as a pre-med student. It was at Baylor that she met the love of her life, Charlie Barrow, and after their graduation from Baylor in 1943, Sugie declined her acceptance to Baylor School of Medicine to marry the young lawyer and U.S. Navy Ensign Charles Barrow on August 25, 1943.

For the next 62 years Sugie Barrow faithfully and tirelessly supported her husband’s endeavors: engagements in World War II and the Korean conflict, his lifelong duties as a Naval Reservist, as a talented young lawyer, as a District Judge, an Appellate Judge, Texas Supreme Court Justice and Dean of Baylor School of Law. Sugie followed her husband from San Antonio to Newport, Rhode Island and San Francisco during the wartime years, to Onion Creek near Austin during his Supreme Court tenure and to Waco during his stint as a law school dean. Always a learner, Sugie re-enrolled at Baylor University and earned a Master’s degree in Religion at age 67.

The couple returned to San Antonio after her husband’s retirement. Charles’ declining health brought Sugie the hardest task she ever confronted-moving him out of their house to an Alzheimer’s unit. There she visited him every day until his death in 2006.

While her husband worked hard to advance his career, Sugie worked just as hard as the primary caretaker for their four sons. She was always there for her husband and sons. She provided a strong bond of love in a clean and cozy house, wherever it was located, warm and delicious meals served on schedule, clean clothing and any mending needing done, a sense of discipline and direction in her sons, support and encouragement for their school activities, religious direction and opportunity, and a well rooted system of values.

Shortly before her tenth birthday, Sugie professed her faith in Christ at a Baptist revival. She was baptized by immersion the following Sunday in a pond in La Parita with her parents looking on. Throughout her life she was active in the Methodist Church she attended. She participated in numerous bible studies, and prayer groups, attended a Walk to Emmaus. She was active in the Bluebird Society and the Order of the Eastern Star and many other organizations.

Sugie Barrow was a devoted wife, mother, Christian and friend who will be missed by her family and friends.

Memorial Service January 26, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, Garden Chapel 825 E. Basse Road San Antonio, TX 78209. The Rev. Donna Strieb officiating. Private interment follows at Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.