Bea Barton

Beatrice Mae Devere Barton, lovingly known as Bea, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in St. George, Utah. She was 78 years old.

Bea was born on March 15, 1947, in Downey, California, to Monte Raoul Devere and Lillie Mae Jesse. After her parents' divorce, her mother married Murray McKinnon of the United States Marine Corps, and the family relocated several times, eventually settling in Oceanside, California.

Bea attended Marston Junior High and later graduated from high school in Oceanside. It was during her school years that she first met her future husband, Mike Barton.

As a teenager, Bea embraced her faith, joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which became a cornerstone of her life. After high school, she and Mike lost touch, but their paths crossed again 25 years later when both were attending National University. Their friendship rekindled, and they were married on July 15, 1989, blending their lives and families with love and devotion.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Bea raised her eight children with resilience, faith, and generosity. She was deeply committed to service-giving freely of her time, resources, and talents to her church and to many charitable causes. Bea loved quilting, walking, hiking, and especially genealogy, where she spent countless hours connecting family history across generations. An avid reader, Bea instilled a love for literature and history in her children.

In 2014, Bea was diagnosed with Essential Tremors, a form of Parkinson's disease, and in later years she faced the challenges of dementia with courage and grace. She was lovingly cared for until her passing.

Bea is survived by her beloved husband, Mike; her sisters; her four sons and four daughters; her four grandsons and four granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert. Bea will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, strong faith, sense of humor, and unwavering love for her family and Billy Joel. Her legacy of service, compassion, and fortitude will live on in all who knew her.

Bea has been cremated, and her ashes will be kept at the Tonaquint Cemetery in St George, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Red Cross, www.redcrossblood.com