Dorothy Barton

Dorothy Lynne Ray Barton passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2015. She was born at LouAnn Arkansas on June 30, 1924, and was the third child of George Ertle and Eula Harrison Ray. At a very young age the family moved to Texas, growing up in Rosanky and Smithville.
She graduated Smithville High School in 1941 and Blinn Radio School in 1942. During WWII she served as a radio technician at various air bases in Texas and New Mexico. Afterwards she became a Lab Technician, and was a Practical Nurse for many years before obtaining her LVN at the age of 52. Her specialty was Labor & Delivery, teaching Lamaze and working at Bastrop Hospital and Clinic, and the Smithville Hospital. In the 80s she managed the Bastrop CofC.
Dorothy was very active in the community, serving the ACS for 20 years, was a 4-H Club Leader and in Home Demonstration. She was a founding member of the Lost Pines DAR chapter, and the 1986 Bastrop County Sesquicentennial Chairman. She was active in her Church, and passionate about her duties as the Smithville UMC Historian from 1993 to 2006.
She loved books, an avid reader of both prose and poetry. She started writing poetry at the age of nine, and continued throughout her life, using her talent to commemorate special events and to celebrate the special people in her life. She researched genealogy for 35 years.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, sister Eugenia Tiemann and brother George Ray. She is survived by her son, Michael Murphy of Seguin, and her two daughters: Patricia (Glenn) Wilkerson of San Marcos, and Gina Barton Hale of Bastrop, three granddaughters: Amy, Caryn, and Sara, five great grandchildren, two nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, 400 Olive St, Smithville, TX 78957.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Smithville.