The Life of Genevieve Ladonne Barton
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at an 11:00 AM Service in Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette for Genevieve LaDonne Barton, 82, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at her residence in Lafayette.
Interment will be in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.
Reverend Richard Humphries, Senior Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, will officiate the services. Lector will be Chrissy Falcon. Mark Tullos, vocalist, will sing for the services, "Here I Am Lord," "I''ll Fly Away," "Victory In Jesus," and "How Great Thou Art."
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Thomas Michael Barton, of Arlington, TX; Charles Alvin Barton, Jr. and his wife, Sue, of Lafayette; Laura Barton Shepard and her husband, Dan, of Richmond, MA; and Mark Edmond Barton and his wife, Mona, of Lafayette.
LaDonne was preceded in death by her husband Charles Barton, Sr., son John Ira Barton, daughter-in-law Debbi Barton; brothers John “Bud” and Ronnie Edmonson; and her parents, John and Eva Jane Edmonson.
LaDonne was a vivacious, caring, and honest person who never met a stranger. She raised her children to look at life in a balanced way, not overlooking the bad that is out there, but always embracing and emphasizing the good things-hummingbirds at your window, a perfect potato salad, crystal rainbows, smart-looking clothes, an ace in the hole, a craftily-woven story, and most of all, family. Until the end, LaDonne was fully engaged with her children, her twelve grandchildren (Nikki, Ashley, Jessica, Trey, Chrissy, Jenny, Cherish, Jack, Lilah, Kathryn, Lauren, and Chloe) and twelve great-grandchildren (Isabelle, Adam, Danielle, li''l Charlie, Lorelei, Hugo, Will, Kyra, Ethan, Jack, Zoe, and Caleb). The loss of “Maw-Maw B,” as she was fondly known, will leave an empty space in all of their lives, now filled with memories of her raucous laughter and steely wit.
LaDonne was born in Centralia, Illinois on September 7, 1930 to Eva Jane and John Edmonson. She grew up there with her five siblings-Lucille, Bud, Harold, Jerry, and Ronnie-and graduated from Centralia Township High School. On June 29, 1951, she married Charlie Barton whom she met while he was on a surveying crew near Centralia. They moved to Baton Rouge where they started their family. LaDonne worked for the telephone company while Charlie finished his geology degree at LSU. They then moved to Shreveport, followed by their permanent settlement in Lafayette.
LaDonne was a wife and mother extraordinaire, providing the backbone to the family with grace, grit, and flair. Over the years she was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church, serving on various committees, including the alter guild, Acolyte Chairman, and volunteering at the Needy Nook. She was a member of L’heure D’Amitie for seventeen years and taught basic sewing to young girls in the Genesis program. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Pallbearers will be Tom Barton, Charles Barton, Jr., Mark Barton, Trey Barton, Dan Shepard, and Sam Porter.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin and Castille (DOWNTOWN) on Monday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will continue on Tuesday at Asbury United Methodist Church from 10:00 AM until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Asbury United Methodist Church Youth Group, 101 Live Oak Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503, by check or by credit card by going to www.asbury-umc.org and clicking the "Give Online" tab.
Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311
