Donald Farrow

Dr. Donald M. Farrow passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Dr. Farrow was 91 years of age. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Louise Farrow. He is survived by three children: Marc Farrow (Wendy) of Winston-Salem, NC, Laura Kelley (Tim) of Christiansburg, Virginia, and Patrick Farrow (Christina) of Browns Summit, NC. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Jeremy McBride, Winnie Farrow, Whitney Ward (Justin), and Kelsey Dann, In addition to one great-granddaughter, Addison Jo Ward.

Dr. Farrow was pastor of Waughtown Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC for 17 years. Prior to that he served several churches throughout North Carolina, with Louise by his side.

He began college at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. He graduated from Wake Forest College where he received his B.A. degree. Later he received his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

As a teenager he was interested in baseball. In 1949 he played right field for the Wilmington American Legion baseball team.

While on a trip to Chicago during the 1980s he and a group of friends were on their way to attend a Cub's game when they had an occasion to meet Ernie Banks that very morning. He was having breakfast in the same restaurant. Banks, who was a former player with the Chicago Cubs, told the group to secure their tickets at a certain ticket window and tell the ticket seller to give them the best seats in the park. The seats were down front directly behind the catcher and batter. They were the best seats in the park!

The Army Reserve was a significant part of Dr. Farrow's life. In 1964, while serving as pastor of Benvenue Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, NC, he was called to active duty in the army during the Berlin Crisis. After graduating from the U. S. Army Chaplain's school at FT. Slocum, NY, he was assigned to the Support Command of the Second Armored Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

While on active duty he spent time in Germany participating in "Operation Big Lift." "Operation Big Lift" was a military operation that took place in various parts of Germany in 1963.

After completing three years of active duty with the Second Armored Division, he left active duty and returned to the civilian pastorate. Dr. Farrow continued in the Army Reserve program until 1991, and retired as a Colonel. He was also a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Also in 1991 he was awarded the "Meritorious Service Medal for his service over a distinguished military career as a citizen soldier of the United States Army Reserve whose service was characterized by selfless dedication and great personal commitment."

When he left active duty in 1964, he served a church in Jacksonville, NC consisting entirely of retired and active duty marine and navy personnel and their families. Sometime later he accepted the call to be the pastor of the Stedman Baptist Church of Stedman, NC. During his tenure as pastor in Stedman he also taught math and art at the Stedman High School. And in 1980 he was called to be pastor of Waughtown Baptist Church here in Winston-Salem. He served Waughtown for seventeen years.

In his retirement years Dr. Farrow continued to engage in art. He spent many hours sketching old barns and farmhouses.

One of his favorite passages of scripture was Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 12:00 Noon at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The family will be receiving friends from 11:00 to 12:00 Noon before the service. Officiating the service is Rev. Christa Warise, Pastor of WestSide Baptist Church. Assisting will be Dr. Gina M. Brock, Associate Pastor of Ardmore Baptist Church. Online Condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.