Obituary of Josephine "JoJo" Barrows

Josephine Howard Barrows passed away February 9, 2021 at 100 years of age at her home, Helmsley Farm, in Versailles, Kentucky.

Born on December 20, 1920 in Versailles, Kentucky, she was the only child of Joe and Ruth C. Howard of Elm Tree Farm.

Josephine Barrows was educated at Margaret Hall School (Versailles) and Stephens College (Missouri) before graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture / Home Economics in 1942.

That summer she enlisted in the Navy Waves and served through the end of the war, stationed in Washington D. C. There she met her husband to be, Navy aviator Lt. John E. “Jug” Barrows of Stickney, South Dakota. They were married in Versailles in February of 1946.

For the next nine years she was an officer’s wife crisscrossing the country with each new posting. Between 1947 and 1952 she gave birth to four boys; Pete, John Jr., Joe, and Bill, each born in a different state.

After “Jug’s” retirement from active duty in 1954, they returned to Versailles where their daughter Susan was born. Josephine set up house, raising her five children and supporting her husband in acquiring his doctorate in education and in his career as a professor / administrator at the University of Kentucky.

Josephine was a homemaker, farm owner and den mother; an active member of the Versailles United Methodist Church and the Woodford Co. Woman’s Club; a supporter of the Audubon Society and Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary; and with her friend, Elsie Gaines, an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds. She was wicked funny, generous, and complex.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John E. “Jug” Barrows, in 1997 and her second son, John E. Barrows Jr., in 2013.

Survivors include her four children; Dale Peter Barrows, Joseph Howard (Jean) Barrows, William Breckinridge Barrows, and Susan Parry Barrows (Henry) Hipkens. Six grandchildren; Kendra (John) Ewalt, John E. Barrows III, Parry Barrows, Hayden (Rachel) Barrows, Claire Hipkens, and Zach (Liz) Hipkens. Two great grandchildren; Grace Ewalt and Gavin Barrows. She is also survived by John’s wife, Jill Sellers Barrows as well as Kendra’s stepdaughter Kate (Cullen) Bailey and their three children.

A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 with a private graveside ceremony at Versailles Cemetery.

Donations in honor of Josephine’s memory are suggested to the Woodford Humane Society, the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, or the Central Kentucky Audubon Society.

The family members of Josephine Barrows express their deep appreciation to Iva Blair, Brenda Norris, and Betty Quisenberry for their devotion to and care for Josephine as she completed her journey on this earth. God Bless you.