Phyllis Jenkins Barrow was a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation.
She died November 30, 2009 at her home in Athens after a lengthy illness.
She was the first UGA graduate to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps and was in the second class to graduate from the WAC Officer Candidate School. During the war, she served in the Pentagon. She left the service with the rank of Captain, the same as her husband, UGA alum James Barrow, ’37 AB, ’39 LLB.
She was a native of Athens and both her parents were associated with the University. Her husband was longtime Judge of Superior Court in Clarke County and she joined the faculty in 1964. She taught “Contemporary Georgia,” a course that was one of the most popular among students. Her mother, Ruth Jenkins, had taught the class previously. During her 24 years, she taught more than 9,000 students.
She was active in numerous professional and academic organizations and became strategically involved in civic, political and benevolent affairs, locally, statewide and nationally.
Mrs. Barrow is survived by five children including her son, U.S. Congressman John Barrow, ’76 AB.
