Edna Earle Barlow

Edna Earle Barlow, daughter of Claude Wesley and Minnie Lola Campbell Smith, was born October 4, 1940, in Shreveport, LA. She attended Cotton Valley High School where she graduated second in her class (therefore named salutatorian), set school records as a starter for the girls’ basketball team, participated in cheerleading, and served as a band majorette.

On October 21, 1963, Edna was united in marriage to Bobby Ray Barlow in Minden, LA. Over the course of almost 60 years of marriage, they lived in Arcadia, Bossier City, and Shreveport, LA.  They always called Minden home where they raised their boys, Jim and Johnny. 

Her faith and love of the Lord were evident in Edna’s daily life. She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Minden and active in the Sonriser’s group, Sunday school class, and exercise class. She enjoyed Department club, Garden club and doing anything with friends.

Edna was an avid tennis player and when she wasn’t competing, she could be found watching professional tennis matches on television or reading the latest tennis magazines. She loved spending time at the beach and look forward to annual family trips each summer to Destin, Fl. Most notable was that Edna’s life revolved around her family as caring for them was her top priority. She enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s athletic and performance events. Her two favorite times of the year were Thanksgiving and Christmas when her home was filled with the joy of celebrating these holidays. She was an example of a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Edna passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, at her home in Minden surrounded by her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Doris and brother-in-law T.R. Clayton. She is survived by her husband Bobby, children Johnny (Linda) Reed of Minden, LA, and Jim (Kathy) Barlow of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren Amber (Chase) Huddleston of Minden, LA, John Wesley (Katelyn) Reed of West Monroe, LA, and Will Barlow and Wes Barlow of Shreveport, LA; great-grandchildren Landyn, Lylah, and Lola Huddleston, and John Harris and Hayes Reed; her sister Alice (Boyd) Giles of Valley, AL; and sister-in-law Kathy Barlow of Emmetsburg, IA.

Services will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church West Chapel in Minden, LA with Bro. Leland Crawford officiating. Interment will follow at Cotton Valley Cemetery in Cotton Valley, Louisiana. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden, LA.