Obituary

Barry Layne Rowe passed peacefully from this life at the age of 66 on the morning of June 17, 2025 at his home in Blackstone, Virginia.  No doubt God took him into His arms, and the woods came alive to welcome him to Heaven. 

Barry was born to his parents, Levy and Dorothy Rowe.  He arrived six minutes after his fraternal twin brother, Larry, on January 26, 1959 in Danville, Virginia.  Barry and Larry shared a deep bond as children into adulthood.  Together, as partners, they founded Rowe Brothers Incorporated, specializing in home foundation excavation.  

On October 6, 1984, Barry married Edith Rowe (Edie), who he loved deeply for over 40 years.  They built a family, blessed with two daughters, in Chesterfield

County, Virginia.  In 2010, Barry and Edie relocated to rural Nottoway County, Virginia.  They moved into a log cabin with an adjacent pond on what was to become B.L. Rowe Acres.  Barry was happy to be surrounded by close friends, and as time passed, family who followed him to Nottoway.    

Barry was well loved, known as a kind and generous person to both his family and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors, beaches and woodlands, and he loved fishing and hunting.  He was a lifetime member of Landowners Hunt Club in Nottoway, where he could be found with close friends and family from November through January each year. Barry passed on his passion for hunting to nephews he taught to call turkeys, climb tree stands, and navigate the woods from dawn until dusk.  

Barry was fun-loving, enjoying frequent family beach trips.  Trips with extended family remain memorable.  While parents aged and children grew into adults, got married, and had their own children, the beach trips continued.    

Diabetes diagnosed as a young adult, a traumatic injury, nor ALS stopped Barry from living life to its fullest.  The diagnosis of ALS was heartbreaking and humbling for Barry as well as his family and friends.  But, Barry faced ALS with courage.  Over ten (10) years, he fought progression of the disease to live one more day, and he never missed a chance to tell others how much he loved them.  Barry did not fight alone.  His wife remained by his side as a selfless caregiver.  His daughters insisted they be together as a family,continue to travel, have and attend as many family, social, school and sporting events as possible.  

He is proceeded in death by his loving parents.  What a joyous reunion they must have had on June 17^th.  Cherished memories of Barry will continue in the hearts and minds of many.  He is survived by his wife, Edith Rowe; his daughter, Crystal Rowe (Jacqueline), his daughter, Emily Rowe (Walter); grandchildren,Jack Emerson, Barry Emerson, Reagan Holt, Jackson Holt, Samuel Emerson, and Johnathan Emerson; brother, Larry Rowe (Sherry); sister Pamela Jones (Scott); and many nieces and nephews.  

A gathering of family and friends will be held on June 23, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a service to follow from 11:00 am to noon at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Ironbridge Road in Richmond, Virginia 23234.  Interment will occur at 2102 Spainville Road, Blackstone, Virginia 23824, on June 23, 2025 at 1:00 pm followed by a meal and community fellowship.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barry’s memory to the ALS Association whose mission it is to make ALS livable and find a cure.  Donations may be made through https://www.als.org/.  Barry’s family will continue to support the ALS Association in its mission, as they know the impact it took on him, a beloved husband, dad, grandaddy, brother, uncle, and friend.