Hazel Tuttle Barlowe

At 92 years, Hazel Tuttle Anderson (Tut) Barlowe left this earthly journey for a Heavenly reunion with her husband, Marshall, and daughter, Nancy. Born to Beecher and Vestal Anderson, in the Gamewell community, on March 24, 1926, “Tut” shared her mother’s love of flowering plants, interesting books and caring for people.Her father taught her to operate his farm tractor and visitors were frequently surprised to see teenage Tut expertly driving through fields.The Anderson home was a lively place, filled with the laughter of Tut and her sisters, Mary, Betty, Jewell and Dorothy.After Dorothy’s death, at age twelve, the family wintered in Florida, where their grieving mother prepared meals for other North Carolina visitors. One of those visitors was a young man who captured Tut’s heart and she later married Marshall Barlowe. After completing two years at Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, Tut attended Wake Forest University and earned a degree in Biology, graduating with the school’s second class that included females. Tut and Marshall’s first home was in Boone, NC, where they lived on the bank of a creek while Marshall earned his teaching degree at Appalachian State University.After Marshall’s graduation, the couple returned to Lenoir, settled in Lower Creek and welcomed three children to their family.Friends of Nancy, Jeff and Richard often dropped by the Barlowe home where Mom Tut included everyone in family meals and gatherings.She often said some of her happiest memories were watching her children laugh with friends. While her children were young, Tut earned her Master’s of Library Science degree at Appalachian State University and served many years as a Caldwell County Schools librarian.Former students from Granite Falls, Davenport and Hibriten High School fondly recall favorite books introduced by Mrs. Barlowe. When grandchildren joined the Barlowe family, Tut assumed the role of GrandMom Tut.Granddaughters Anna, Caroline and Kate and grandsons Chase, Clark, Erik and Max spent countless hours with GrandMom, who taught them to sew, cook, pick berries, create costumes and perform plays, to appreciate beautiful flowers and the view of Grandfather Mountain, visible from her backyard.Picnics in Price Park, turkey dinners at GrandMom’s house, long car rides, shopping trips, parties to dye Easter eggs, celebrate birthdays and watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop are some of the happy times GrandMom shared with her grandchildren.The annual family trip to Sunset Beach always included a day of gathering coquinas while GrandMom told the children stories about strolling Florida beaches, where she observed Greek women gathering the tiny creatures for coquina chowder.The “Grands” carried buckets of coquinas to the kitchen, where GrandMom boiled the shellfish and made coquina chowder while the children bathed.Later, each child ate cup after cup of the delicious soup and played with colorful shells GrandMom spread in the sun to dry.Only years later, when they were adults, did the children discover GrandMom’s coquina chowder never included coquinas and was, in fact, chicken noodle soup. Tut provided a joyful home for her grandchildren to visit and she filled days after her retirement by doing for others.Tut purchased bushels of peaches and apples from Brushy Mountain orchards and delivered fresh fruit to countless friends.Tut made hundreds of hot cornbread cakes, gallons of homemade Russian tea and many other special treats to deliver to friends and family and she often shared flowers from her garden, artfully arranging blossoms for weddings, funerals, parties or day brightening gifts.Tut welcomed visitors to a sunny kitchen window seat to observe birds, enticed to feeders, perches and birdbaths in her yard. With the arrival of great-grandchildren Emmalynn, Joryanne, Camden, Enzlee and Davis, Tut joyfully repeated the special GrandMom times enjoyed by their parents.When her home filled with adult conversation, Tut would slip outside to play with the Greats, whom she regarded as the most interesting people she knew. A member of Littlejohn United Methodist Church, Tut loved God and her church family.When illness prevented her from attending, church friends often visited, called and sent cards.Tut often expressed special gratitude for Pam Clark, who faithfully mailed Tut church bulletins, newsletters and special cards. According to Tut’s wishes, all arrangements will be private. Memorials to honor Tut Barlowe may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care for the blessed and tender care given to her and family during her final hours.Tut would also appreciate gifts for Littlejohn United Methodist Church Cemetery Endowment Fund or a stroll through one’s own flower garden with a prayer for Tut’s sweet life. John 3:16 Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service is serving the Barlowe family.