Alvenia M. Barlow, affectionately known as Marcell, Big AL, Lucy, AB, Cell and other loving nicknames from friends and family, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at her home in Ft. Washington, MD.

Alvenia was born February 10, 1958, in Washington, DC to Deacon Fred Owens Sr. and Deaconess Estelle Mae Owens. Growing up, Alvenia attended Payne Elementary School, Eliot Junior High School and Eastern Senior High School. During her time at Eastern Senior High School, she excelled not only academically, but also as a cheerleader, track star, and pageant queen.  In addition to her schoolwork, she regularly worked at the National Theater, where she began her professional career, and eventually encouraged several friends and family members to join the team.  Following her tenure at the National Theater, she had a brief stint with the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Data Entry Clerk.  Alvenia then went on to work for the DC Government at the Department of Employment Services (DOES)as a Computer Specialist, a position she held for over 40 years before retiring. Although she thoroughly enjoyed working within the data entry and IT field, her work with the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program with the DOES brought her the most joy.  If a child needed a summer job, people would often say "Go talk to Ms. Barlow".  She was highly respected for helping numerous teenagers secure summer employment, which led to many successful careers in the DMV. After retiring from DOES in 2017, Alvenia enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, shopping on QVC, watching western movies, and her daytime soap operas on CBS.

Alvenia also had a natural flair for fashion, often rocking her signature bush ball hairstyle and always staying ahead of the curve with her clothing and jewelry choices.  She often wore her signature fur coats, exuding the confidence of a red-carpet model, and would frequently organize fashion shows, bringing together family, friends, and church members to model on the runway for "Cousin Al & Co".  Mt. Moriah served as the family's home church, where Alvenia was actively involved in numerous activities, such as decorating for events, assisting with Sunday school, coordinating church trips, and briefly working as a wedding coordinator. Alvenia was also a member of the ICUA choir, youth choir, young adult usher board, and treasury ministry.

Alvenia is preceded in death by her parents Fred Owens Sr. and Estelle Owens and older brother Fred Owens Jr. She leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Spencer Barlow Jr., son Spencer Barlow III, and daughter Chavarria Harris (son-in-law Tony Harris Jr,). Grandchildren Nyjai, Zanyah, Malayah, Camari, Zendaya, Yaz'Mear, and Za' Leah.  Siblings Mark Owens Sr. (sister-in-law Rita Owens), Marsha Owens and Donnell Owens (sister-in-law Latrice Owens).