Dorothy Massengale Barton

Dorothy Jane Massengale Barton Nov. 9, 1931 - Nov. 13, 2008 Dorothy Massengale Barton born November 9, 1931 in Maysfield, TX passed on November 13, 2008. Dorothy, known as Dard to her family, moved to Austin in 1948 where she worked, raised her family and served in her community. Many have been blessed by Dorothy as she fulfilled her calling with a servant's heart and love for "the least of these." As an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church she selflessly served in various ministries and gave tirelessly of her time wherever needed. Among the positions held, she was president of Memorial UMC's United Methodist Women and could often be seen helping with the Rainbow class ministering to women with special needs. Dorothy always set a high bar for herself and pursued life with a curious mind and an unimpeachable work ethic. She worked 40 years for the State Department of Health taking on increasing responsibility and retired as an administrative assistant in 1988. She balanced work and home and is remembered as "hitting the ground running" upon arriving home to attend to laundry, kids and dinner. When her children were grown and upon retiring, she enrolled in classes at ACC. She was an avid reader and was a part of the Reading/Library group of the UMW. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Billie Tom Barton and is survived by her sons, Gregory and wife Jude Barton, Marcus and wife Janet Barton; and daughter, Cecile Knight; three grandchildren, William Barton, Diane Knight and Benjamin Knight. She is also survived by six siblings, Wallace and Gloria Massengale, Jack Massengale, and sisters, Mary Lou Baird, Marguerite Tabor, Carolyn and Ed Weeren and Linda and Wesley Jaresh and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5:00: p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2008, Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr. Interment to follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to Memorial United Methodist Church. A handwritten note found in Dorothy's drawer today had this notation: #1 song, November 9, 1931 "Goodnight Sweetheart." We say to you our beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother and friend who has gone home to her Lord, "Goodnight Sweetheart," we will miss you.