The Reverend Walter Rowland Barton, Jr.

The Reverend Walter Rowland Barton, Jr., age 89, died Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Asbury Place in Maryville, Tennessee. Walter was born November 17, 1920 in Alcoa, TN, the son of the late Walter R. Barton, Sr. and Edith Fonde Barton. Walter was a resident of Blount County for the vast majority of his life. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Nelle Marable Barton. Walter was employed by the Aluminum Company of America for 35 years. Even after answering God’s call to ministry at the age of 38, Walter continued full-time employment at ALCOA while serving as a part-time local pastor at the following United Methodist churches: Campground, Townsend; Bethel, Seymour; Meadow, Greenback; Booth Chapel, Loudon; Vonore and Walnut Grove in Vonore; and Forkner’s Chapel, Sweetwater. After retiring from ALCOA, Walter entered the full-time ministry, serving at Green Meadow UMC, Alcoa. Upon his retirement from active ministry in 1986, Walter and Nelle spent three years in Sun City Center, FL where he served as Minister of Visitation at Sun City Center UMC. Walter will be remembered as a man of great faith who was ministering to others until the very end of his life. He was also a mentor to at least two members of his congregations who later went on to become pastors. Walter is survived by his sister, Dorothy (Barton) Moschell of Cincinnati, OH and Sister-in-law, Alice Marable McDavid; his children: Rev. Ray and Alice (Barton) Petty of Jefferson City, TN; Wilbur and Carol (Mullen) Barton of Maryville; Charles and Barbara (St. Clair) Barton of Maryville; David and Mary Lou (Barton) Johnstone of Knoxville; and Betty Nelle Barton and Deban Yeomans of Johnson City. He was blessed to have 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Chris and Sarah (Barton) Korom of Tampa, FL; Sam and Mary (Barton) Martindale, and their children Christian and Luke, of Dallas, TX; Robert and Debbie (Petty) Benedict of Powell, TN; Aaron and Beth (Petty) Jones, and their children Nate, Avery and Anna, of Knoxville, TN; Andy and Brandy (Herron) Barton and their son Drew, of Maryville, TN; Corey and Melanie (Frerichs) Miller and their children Tyson and Triston, of Jonesborough, TN; Cheryl Petty and Michael Bruce and their son Michael Lee of Maryville, TN; Carrie Barton and Nolan Richardson of Arlington, VA; Chris and Leslie (Frerichs) Cheatham of Knoxville, TN; Josh and Amanda (Barton) Mann and their son Joshua, of Madisonville, TN; Stephen Johnstone of Knoxville, TN; and Randy and Carrie (Booher) Thompson. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at First UMC, Maryville, TN from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 with the service following at 2:00 pm with the Rev. Ray Petty, the Rev. Brenda Carroll, the Rev. Larry Carroll, and the Rev. Asa Hendrickson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of The Reverend Walter Rowland Barton, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.