Helen Hyten Barrow

Helen Hyten Herring was born May 20, 1926 at a farm near Carrington, Missouri to the late Luther and Alice Herring. They proceeded her in death as did her first husband, Westminster College Professor Raymond Barrow, her sister Evelyn (Herring) Conner, her oldest son Dr. Bruce Barrow, grandson Bryan Barrow and her second husband William Lipe.

Helen grew up in Callaway County and, after graduating Fulton High School, attended business school. She then worked at the Callaway Bank in customer service. Helen was united in marriage to Raymond Barrow on April 16, 1949. The couple had three children.

She worked in the offices of the Callaway County Clerk, the County Collector, and the County Recorders for three decades. Helen was elected Callaway County Recorder of Deeds for three terms from 1982 through 1994. It was her experience working in county government, and her knowledge of county systems, that prompted her to continually update procedures and practices in the Recorder’s office, including the introduction of microfiche in the 1980’s. She made the office welcoming and efficient for both individuals and businesses. Helen’s official signature and seal can be found on a generation of documents from deeds to marriage licenses. Throughout her long tenure she was befriended by a cast of courthouse characters who, years after she left office, would greet her on the streets of Fulton with stories to tell.

While the office she held made her well known throughout the county, Helen was “Mom” to her children, Mona, Bruce and Brent Barrow. Canoe trips, Girl Scout meetings, camping trips, cross-country excursions and long weekends at the Barrow family farm near New Bloomfield, Missouri were all part of family fun that has produced a lifetime of stories and memories. Many of these adventures were shared with other families who remained friends for life.

After retirement Helen moved to Lake Ozark where she has been active in the Lake Ozark Christian Church community, serving as a deacon. Helen was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported women’s education through her lifetime involvement as a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life and in later years took many excursions throughout the U.S. and Europe with her husband Fred Braun whom she married in 2012.

Fred survives her at their home in Lake Ozark, Missouri where the couple has resided for several years. She is also survived by her daughter Mona Ferrugia (John) of Denver, Colorado and Brent Barrow (Angie) of Bonita Springs, Florida, and 5 grandchildren. All are forever grateful for Helen’s life of love and service that so enriched them and the lives of those in her community.

A Family service and burial was held on January 7th with interment at Callaway Memorial Gardens.

The Barrow Family is grateful to the staff of Stonebridge Senior Living for the professional, compassionate, and loving care they rendered our dear Mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lake Ozark Christian Church, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251.