Helen Mitchell Barlow

Norma Helen Duncan Mitchell Barlow, age 86, a lifelong resident of Abingdon, Va. passed away Thursday, October 25, 2018. Helen was born February 19, 1932, in the Brumley Gap community of Washington County, Va. a daughter of the late Carl Duncan and Amanda Taylor Duncan.  Helen was a Christian and attended the Taylors Chapel Church of Christ. She attended the Duncansville School, which was moved to the Coomes Center and designated as the Oldest One Room School House in Washington County. Helen graduated from Greendale High School in 1949.  She graduated from the West Virginia Business College, Bluefield, W.Va. in 1950, with excellent honors. Helen started her working career with Johnston Memorial Hospital of Nursing, until it moved to the Virginia Highlands Community College.  Helen received many rewards and honors during her career, but the Humanitarian Award was her favorite. Helen finished her career with Johnston Memorial Hospital with 54 years, 11 months and 2 weeks. Asked why she did not finish 55 years?  Her answer was… “I DID IT MY WAY!”  That was Helen!! 

Helen is preceded in death by her son, Freddie Mitchell; husband, Joe Barlow; parents, Carl and Amanda Taylor Duncan; sisters, Opel Davis, Lela Owens, and Doris Tolliver; brothers, Clayburn Duncan and Denton Duncan.

She is survived by one sister, Ruth Albert of Greensboro, N.C.; brothers, Claude (Betty) Duncan of Abingdon, Va. and Johnny (Ella Mae) Duncan of Charleston, W. Va; brother-in-law, Earl “Jack” Tolliver, Doraville, Ga. Helen was cared for by her namesake niece, Barbara Helen Cook. She was loved by special nieces and nephews. 

A memorial Celebration of Helen’s Life was conducted on Sunday, November 4, 2018.