M. Bailey Barrow

December 21, 1925 – October 22, 2023

M. Bailey Barrow passed away on October 22, 2023. Born on December 21, 1925 in Snow Hill, NC, Bailey was the son of James Wiley and Annie Wells Barrow. He married Velma Ham on October 25, 1947 and they moved to Kinston in 1949 where he began his career in insurance. In 1957, he started his own business, M. Bailey Barrow Real Estate, and was known as LanMan, “just a local boy trying to make just a small margin of profit for his services”. In 1961, he partnered with W.W. “Billy” Kennedy to form Barrow-Kennedy Auction, “the Showmen of the Auction World”. He loved “wheeling and dealing” and driven by his incredible work ethic, he renewed his real estate license until he was about 80 years old. He loved fishing and telling jokes and will be remembered for his humor, generosity, amazing optimism, and determination. Bailey was a member of First Baptist Church for 65 years where he was a proud member of the Spilman Bible Class.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his beloved wife Velma Ham Barrow; only sister, Gladys and husband Robert; and his four brothers, James and wife Nannie Mae, Earl and wife Lois, Lyman and wife Alma Ruth, and Willard and wife Irene; and special nephew, Ralph Tyndall.

Surviving are his two daughter, Rhonda Rose and husband Jim, and Vickie Elmore; his son, Gregory Bailey Barrow; his grandchildren: James Rose, Jr. and wife Joanna, John Oettinger and wife Elizabeth, Jessica Wilder and husband William, Robert Barrow and wife Megan, Meg Galat and husband Nic, Thomas and Halie Elmore, and Ellen Elmore; his great-grandchildren: Ashley White and husband Nick, Jake Rose, Gabriella Rose, William and Chandler Wilder, Libba and Leo Oettinger, Anna and Zoe Barrow, Caroline and Liza Galat; great-great-grandchildren: Phoebe, Rosemary, Annabelle, Julian, Theodore, and Sebastian White; in-laws Ann and Thomas Hardy, Naomi G. Ham, and Aurora Ham Tyler.

The family is grateful to Sherry and Jeff Griffin at Magnolia Cottage and their dedicated staff, especially Michelle and Darlene, who provided him loving care assisted by 3HC Hospice Care. The family is also grateful to Ruth Moore who was devoted to both our parents through the years.

On Sunday, October 29, the family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church at 2600 Rouse Road, Kinston, NC beginning at 2:30 p.m. with a memorial service following in the sanctuary at 3:30 p.m. The family would be honored by memorials to First Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.