Karen Jo Byers Barrow
Born November 24th, 1959 in Hampton, Virginia at Langley Air Force Base to Neil E Byers and Emma Jean Shaddox Byers and died at her home surrounded by loved ones on Mother’s Day, May 11th, 2025.
A memorial service will be Friday, May 16th, at 2:00 pm at the chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, TX. A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, we request a donation to Greenville Christian School or to your charity of choice.
Her family moved to Greenville, TX in 1965 and she graduated from Greenville High School in 1978. She then went on to graduate from East Texas State University in 1981 and during that time she owned and operated a gymnastics studio in Sulphur Springs, TX.
After graduating she started teaching at Commerce ISD, which led to a 42 year career in education with teaching roles at Campbell, Greenville, and Bland ISDs and leadership roles as assistant principal and principal at Greenville High School. Teaching was her calling, it wasn’t just a profession, she instilled the love of learning in each student she taught. This love of teaching was evident by how her students excelled and grew under her guidance and leadership. She believed that every student could learn and achieve their potential – failure was not an option in Mrs. Barrow’s class! She wasn’t just their teacher, she was their friend, supporter, cheerleader, and their greatest ally.
She married shortly after college in 1983 to the love of her life Howard Barrow and over 41 years had two wonderful sons and built a life they loved on 200 acres Northeast of Greenville, raising cattle and cutting hay. After she ‘retired’ they traveled in their RV to George Strait concerts, to the beach and mountains with friends, and loved hanging out with their granddaughter, Nora Emery.
She was a wonderful mother, supporting her boys, setting high expectations, and wouldn’t let those stinkers get away with anything. She led with love, allowing them to try and fail, learn the lessons of responsibility, and also have fun along the way. They were never short on pets (although they had short life spans on the ranch), encouragement, surprises (like a potbelly pig named Hattie), or love.
She was a constant learner and explorer, getting her Masters at East Texas State years after graduating from there. She designed and wore her Chickickers custom cowgirl boots that everyone loved on her, but no one else would be daring enough to wear. When she walked into the room, everyone was drawn to her and she would light it up with smiles and laughter with both friends and strangers who were about to be friends. She was a perfect combination of bold, kind, and the life of the party – always searching for a perfectly cooked steak, lobster and a baked potato with a side of ketchup.
Those folks in the front rows – Howard Barrow, her loved and loving husband, sons Neil Barrow (and wife Morgan and light of Karen’s life Nora) and Jace Barrow. Her sisters Becky Berry (and husband Ricky) and Betty Estes (and husband Steve).
