Edward Barbour

Edward Louis Barbour, was born on August 2, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York. The third of six children born of the late Hattie Edwards Barbour and James Riley Barbour, Sr. He was educated at Boys High School Brooklyn. He drafted into the Army at 18 years young and did his tour of duty in Alaksa. After leaving the military he began work in the trucking industry. Edward soon met and married Emma Church Barbour, together 44 years, until her passing. They had two children; Betty Yvonne and Andrew Marcellus. He soon was called to the NYC Police Academy, but instead accepted the opportunity to join the “family business” working at NYC Transit Authority instead. He went from entry level Porter, to Conductor, then promoted to Motorman where he worked for 23 years. He was retired for 37 years. He proved it doesn’t matter your start. He lead by example teaching how to thrive, not just survive. After Emma’s transition, he moved from Virginia to Florence, South Carolina to be closer to his family. A Grief Support Counseling Group in 2006, brought Helen Dickey Bowman into his life. She had also lost her husband in 2004. Helen had been married to the late Moses Bowman for 45 years and of that union three children were born; Sharon, Darrin and Kevin. With new dreams, new hopes, and a desire to achieve new horizons, God blessed Edward and Helen to love again and they were united in Holy Matrimony on May 3, 2008. Together they cherished parenting their blended families; Sharon unfortunately passed away a few months before the nuptials. Edward and Helen enjoyed many years of traveling, going out to dinner, spending time with family, and serving God together. Edward was an active member of Chaney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully on the Deacon and Usher Board for many years, until his health began to falter. Still he continued to do whatever he could to support the church and his other involvements. Deacon Barbour slipped into eternity on August 21, 2025 and while he will be sorely missed, we surrender this beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother-in-law, and friend into the hands of the loving and sovereign God who gave him to us for such a short time. Deacon Edward Barbour leaves cherished memories for his wife, Helen D. Bowman Barbour, his daughter, Yvonne Barbour, sons, Darrin Bowman and Kevin Bowman (Jeanette) ; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren; 6 sisters-in-law: Martha Barbour, Sandra Barbour, Loucinda Southerland (Charles), Gertie Sanders (Terrance), Hattie Thomas, Valerie Scott (James); one brother-in-law: Willie Dickey (Patrice) and other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his son, Andrew Barbour, his grandson Eric Barbour, his brothers: Harold and Joseph Barbour, his sisters: Dolores Wright and Evelyn Dorsey Brunson.