George Harrison Farrow of Gloucester, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 6, 2021 at the age of 48.
George was born on April 12, 1973 to parents, George and Gloria Meekins Farrow, in St. Petersburg, Fla. From a young boy, he was a bright and exceptional student, a voracious reader, a demonstrated love for sports, especially track and fencing, as well as a curiosity for learning about any subject matter he considered a “need to know.” George loved people and enjoyed great discussions and conversations with friends, family and, sometimes, perfect strangers.
He graduated from Adlai Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, Illinois, in 1991 after double qualifying in fencing in the Illinois State Junior Olympics. He received scholarship offers to fence collegiately but declined them to attend Morehouse College for Men, Atlanta, Ga., where he studied for three years. George completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, in African and African American Studies and earned a Master of Arts degree at Virginia State University in American History. He later was accepted and completed doctoral coursework in African American Studies at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
George was a member of Iota Phi Theta, Inc., Fraternity; a member of Prince Hall Mason Berea Lodge #114, Gloucester, Va., and a member of ManUp Inc., Richmond, Va.
Most of George’s employment was in Virginia’s public schools, having taught in Sussex County, Petersburg, Va., and Henrico County and the Anna Julia Cooper School, Richmond, Va. In January 2020, George accepted a Community Family Coach position with Thrive Virginia. Thrive Virginia is a Community Action Agency that collaborates with community-based partners to create pathways to self-sufficiency for individuals and families within the agency’s diverse service area. George loved all his students over the years and was passionate about serving his clients in New Kent and Charles City.
George is survived by his mother, Gloria Meekins Farrow, and additional family members, an uncle, Earl Meekins Jr. (Jocelyn); an aunt, Barbara Farrow, and special cousins, Curtis Pittman, Teri Redcross-Ali (Albert), Kristi Redcross, Tiffany Redcross, Seyvette Hightower Miller (John), Nakia Allen, Nicholas Ali, Nehemiah Allen, Jordan Meekins, Jaelon Meekins, and Caleb Brown.
A private inurnment will be held at Rosewell Memorial Gardens, Gloucester. A Celebration of Life is planned for Spring 2022. In memory of George, contributions may be made to 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula, Inc., P.O. Box 2400, Newport News, Va. 23609; 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula (100blackmenva.org) and Thrive Virginia, http://thriveva.org/get-involved/25-to-thrive/, (804) 966-8720.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester.