Mollie Jane Parrish Barrow

Mollie Jane Parrish Barrow, age 85, a faithful, devoted wife to her husband, and a most caring, loving mother to her children, left this earth on April 27, 2021 to become a member of heavenly choir. She was born on June 27, 1935, in Atlanta, GA. After graduating from Brown High School in Atlanta she went on to attend and graduate from Mars Hill College, a short distance north of Ashville, North Carolina. Following her graduation from Mars Hill College in 1955, she continued her college education at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In the spring of 1956 she met a young U.S. Air Force veteran, Thurman Barrow, a business school student majoring in accounting. They were married in September 1957. Shortly after their marriage she became part-time Minister of music at First Baptist Church, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Upon her graduation from Stetson in May, 1958, she became full time at New Smyrna-First Baptist. When Thurman graduated from Stetson in May 1959, they moved to the Orlando, FL area where he was employed by a CPA firm. They became active members of First Baptist Church, Apopka, FL. Mollie purchased a new Baldwin spinet piano and began teaching piano students at her home. In June 1961, Thurman left the CPA firm for employment with the State of Florida, State Auditors Office, assigned to the Orlando office. Mollie continued to teach piano students at her home. In the summer of 1964 Thurman was offered, and accepted a transfer back to DeLand to become resident auditor for a newly established office there. Back in DeLand, Thurman and Mollie purchased a vacant lot on the northeast side of DeLand and in May 1965 moved into their new custom built house where they made their home. With assistance from State of Florida Children's Home Society they adopted a six weeks old baby boy they named John Mark, and two years later adopted a 4 weeks old baby girl they named Melinda Jane. They soon became members of the Stetson Baptist Church family which provided them with numerous opportunities for service to others in the DeLand community. Mollie quickly got involved in the church's music ministry and she was selected to coordinate and direct the music ministry there. She was most blessed to have the assistance of a very capable and dedicated support group for the next 25+ years, retiring July 17, 1994. She continued to be very active in the church's music ministry as a choir member and director of the handbell choir, while giving encouragement and support to her successor, Rev. Reggie May, an experienced and accomplished music minister, and eventually a wonderful friend. She leaves behind her son John Mark Barrow (Juliana) and granddaughter Maria Rose Furbee, plus several other family members. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Thurman Barrow, her father Selma and mother Dixie Johnson Parrish, her brother Dan Parrish and her daughter Melinda Barrow Furbee. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 3rd from 5-7pm at Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home in DeLand. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 4th at 11am at DeLand Memorial Gardens, where her body will be laid to rest next to that of Melinda awaiting the return of our redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ. Online condolences may be made at www.allensummerhill.com. Allen-Summerhill DeLand is in charge.