ROBERT S. BARWICK
Sept. 18, 1924-Jan. 6, 2008
GRIFTON -- Robert "Bob" Swinson Barwick, 83, died early Sunday morning. Another member of America's greatest generation has gone home. Bob was born in Wayne County to Robert and Cathleen Barwick. His family and friends will gather Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Grifton Free Will Baptist Church to remember and honor him. Visitation will follow the service.
Bob served his country in World War II as a sailor in the U.S. Navy. He was a veteran in the North and Atlantic Theaters and the only southerner on his merchant marine ship and was dubbed "Rebel." He was a steadfast American.
He tended his family well by always holding two jobs, 30 years with DuPont and side employment with the J.R. Harvey Company. They called him the man with the "Big Bark and Tender Heart." He once served as an E.M.T. with the Grifton Rescue Squad and was a faithful member of the Grifton F.W.B. Church. He was a dependable and hard working man.
The greatest miss will be within his family. He was loved by his wife of 59 years, Hilda Reaves Barwick. God indeed made them one and she feels hat she has lost her "whole." They loved to travel and enjoy their family.
His children are sons, Wayne and wife, Sylvia, Tony and wife, Laura, and his daughter, Connie Grant and her husband, Adonis, all of Grifton. They will forever remember Saturday morning coffee with their dad and how he sensed their needs and tried to meet them. They agree that he was quite a loving dad. They blessed him with four grandchildren and six greats and he treasured them all. He was a very loyal granddaddy. He is also survived by his sister, Tempie Best, of Mount Olive, and was a doting brother. He was preceded in death by a sister, Hespie Long.
The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Heather White and the staff of Three West. Flowers are welcome or contributions in Bob's honor may be given to the Grifton F.W.B. Church Building Fund or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Entombment will be Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Memorial Estates Chapel.
Arrangements are being handled by Farmer's Funeral Service of Ayden.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 8, 2008 3:26 PM