Valera Barrow (nee Holder) was born to Barbadian parents, who migrated to Panama. Her father worked on the construction of the Panama Canal. At the death of her father, the family returned to Barbados. Mrs. Barrow attended St. George’s Girls’ School and worshipped at St. George Parish Church, where she sang in the choir. She was a seamstress, who was very fashion conscious. After her marriage to Eldon Barrow, she relocated to St. Michael and worshipped at the St. Michael’s Cathedral. She was the mother of three children.