Virginia Barlow

1930 - 2024

Virginia Barlow
May 27, 1930 - February 8, 2024
Virginia Barlow was born on May 27, 1930, to Inez Houston Hall and Terry Hall in San Antonio, Texas, and entered eternal rest on February 8, 2024, at the age of 93. Virginia grew up in San Antonio, attending Brackenridge High School, where she was an outstanding student and enjoyed many extracurricular activities. She was editor of the school newspaper and a member of the Purple Jackets. She then attended Trinity University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Education, and was again very active in the Trinity community including membership in the Spurs Sorority. During her time at Trinity, she was voted "most beautiful" by the student body. It was there that she met and fell in love with the love of her life, and "the most handsome man she had ever seen", James E. Barlow. They married in December of 1951 and remained married until his death in 2010. They both participated in the historic move of Trinity University to its current location.
In the early years of her marriage, Virginia taught school at Arnold Elementary. She and Jim were charter members of St. Marks United Methodist Church, where she remained a member until her death. She dedicated many years of service to St. Marks and served on many committees there. She also served in many leadership positions in the community, including President of the Bexar County Democratic Women, President of the Mental Health Association of Texas, and member of the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary.
Virginia studied to be a court reporter and worked in marketing for a temporary employment agency. She had a very active social life and enjoyed many hobbies, including travel, painting, sewing, and cooking, which she was exceptionally good at. One of her greatest passions was for the sport of tennis, and she played on many local leagues up until she had to give it up at the age of 78. She would routinely beat players half her age. She was a gracious hostess, dedicated to her family, community, church, and many various charities. Throughout her life she was a gifted caregiver to many relatives including her daughter Valerie, her mother Inez and father Terry, and husband Jim. She was always present to support her daughters in all of their extracurricular activities. Jim would often remark that she should have been the politician in the family because "she sure knew how to work a room"; she was always her husband's biggest supporter throughout his career and was vital to his campaigns and elections to the Texas House of Representatives, as the Bexar County District Attorney, and as a Criminal District Court Judge.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Judge James E. Barlow, and daughter Valerie. She is survived by daughter Rebecca (Becky) Barlow Dorsey, Melissa Barlow Severtson (Dan), grandchildren Devin Dorsey, Scout Dorsey and fiancé Ari Guadarrama, Josephine Fischer, and Julia Fischer, and sister Margarette Hall Wood. She will be fondly remembered by numerous beloved friends and relatives.

Viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North.
Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Interment to follow in Mission Burial Park North.