Obituary - Plato Collins Barwick (P.C.), Jr.

Plato Collins Barwick (P.C.), Jr, 87, died peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025 at The Cypress Glen of Greenville. He was born in Kinston on June 28, 1937 and grew up in the Moss Hill community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Plato Collins Barwick, Sr and Thelma Banks Barwick. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Nancy Coston Barwick; two sons, P. Collins Barwick, III and wife Laurie, of Raleigh and G. Scott Barwick of Kinston; and three grandsons, P. Collins (Lins) Barwick, IV, Smith Williams Barwick, and John-Henry Lomax Barwick.

P.C. was a graduate of Moss Hill High School, Wake Forest University, and Wake Forest School of Law. He was commissioned as an officer through the Army R.O.T.C program, served his active duty time at Fort Gordon, Georgia and completed his obligation serving six years in the North Carolina Army National Guard.

P.C. practiced law for more than 50 years with the Kinston firm of Wallace, Morris, Barwick, Landis & Stroud and was active in many of his professional associations. He served as the President of the Lenoir County Bar Association and the 8th Judicial District Bar representing Lenoir, Wayne and Greene Counties as Counselor on the North Carolina State Bar Council. He was active in the North Carolina Bar Association and was inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a charter member, secretary and attorney for the Kinston Board of Realtors for almost 20 years. P.C. was active in his church and community. He and Nancy were members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden several times. He served as Chancellor of the Diocese of East Carolina for ten years. He was active in his community serving in numerous capacities and leadership positions, including President or Chairman of the Boards of the Kinston Jaycees, Kinston/Lenoir Chamber of Commerce, Kinston Country Club, Lenoir/Greene United Way, Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Arendell Parrott Academy and East Carolina Council Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout and was active in Scouting as a volunteer for more than 50 years. He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1968 and 1970 and was the Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the year in 1985. P.C. received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor McCroy in 2014.

P.C. loved politics and was active in politics throughout his life. He and Nancy changed their party affiliation from Democratic to Republican in 1967. He served as Chairman of the North Carolina Railroad Company during the merger of the N.C. Railroad Company and the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company and the subsequent buyout of the private shareholders, serving on the negotiating team for more than six years negotiating the new lease with Norfolk Southern.

P.C. loved to travel, play golf and socialize with Nancy and their friends. He was very proud of his five boys and Laurie. During his retirement he enjoyed volunteering, especially at St. Mary’s Kitchen and wherever else he was needed.

A visitation with family will be held Friday evening, May 16, 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Kinston Country Club. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 17th at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 800 Rountree St, Kinston, NC with Rev. Tom Warren officiating. Interment of ashes will follow in St. Francis Garden at St. Mary’s Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Mary’s Kitchen, 800 Rountree Street, Kinston, NC 28501, Arendell Parrott Academy, 1901 Dobbs Farm Road, Kinston, NC 28501 or the East Carolina Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 1698, Kinston, NC 28503.

Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations, Kinston. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.