Barbara Kay Barton, daughter of Otis and Alma Cook York, was born Aug. 4, 1943, in San Francisco, Calif. She departed this life Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., at the age of 69 years, four months, and 27 days.
On June 4, 1967, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Blatter, and to this union one daughter was born. Mr. Blatter passed away Oct. 4, 1979.
On August 12, 1982, she was united in marriage to Donald P. Barton, and they shared the last 31 years.
She was also preceded in death by her father.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald, of the home; a daughter, Stacy Patterson, and her husband, Arden, of Lebanon, Mo.; two stepsons, Ronald Barton, and his wife, Gail, of Plato, Mo., and Clark Barton, and his wife, Kelly, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Kelci, Surina, Shayne, Shalyn, Genevieve, Kate, Isabella and Vivienne; her mother, Alma York, of Lebanon, Mo.; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Missouri, on the Big Piney River, near the community of Plato, and graduated from Plato High School. She then attended the University of Missouri at Columbia, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Early in her teaching career, she taught high school English and Library Science in Kansas City and in Oklahoma. She then taught first grade in the Plato School System for twenty-two years before retiring. She also was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family throughout the years.
Barbara was raised in the Palace Union Church, near Evening Shade, Mo., and had attended Embry Community Church.
She was a member of the Eastern Star and served on the Palace Cemetery board of directors. In her spare time she enjoyed painting and listening to music, particularly her favorite, country music. She liked studying genealogy and enjoyed traveling with Donald and her family. She possessed a delightful sense of humor and had a knack for making everything fun, especially for the children. She had a wonderful smile and truly loved teaching. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren.
Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered for her devotion to her family, her dedication to teaching, and her kindness to others. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Services were 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at Palace Union Church with the Reverends Gene Earp and Wayne Perryman officiating, under direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Mo. Burial was in the Palace Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Palace Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund may be made through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P. O. Box 28, Lebanon, Mo., 65536.
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