Mrs. Willie Grace Rochester Barton

If strength, love and determination indicate a life well-lived, then Willie Grace (Rochester) Barton assuredly lived well. But even the strongest and most determined must rest. On December 13, she decided it was her time. She was 84 years old. Having fought valiantly against the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, COPD, osteoporosis and macular degeneration, Willie Grace decided to trade all that in for a perfect resting place in her Father God’s arms. Willie Grace was the embodiment of love. She loved learning and she loved teaching. It started early in life. Born May 15, 1935, to Stiles and Mary (Jones) Rochester, she was young when she learned to sew and quilt. She and her mother would spend many hours quilting together. Along with her sisters, found a love of gardening and could grow just about anything. A graduate of Walhalla High School in 1953, she was active in 4-H and earned state and national honors in gardening. Upon graduation, she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a teacher. She attended Winthrop College, graduating in 1957. Ready to begin her teaching career, she came back to her family home and began teaching middle school science. After several years, the home economics teacher retired and Willie Grace jumped at the chance to teach the things she loved, sewing, cooking and additional life skills students needed. It was serendipity that led her on a blind date with a friend of a friend, and as it happens, love once again reigned. That blind date culminated in marriage to Ralph Barton, November 23, 1957. While illness forced her to take a break from teaching, she still managed to raise a family, play the organ at church, continue to garden, sew and cook for anyone and everyone who happened to find a spot at the Barton table. And when her children went off to college, she went back, as well. She earned her master’s degree in reading from Clemson University and returned to elementary school as a librarian until she retired. But her greatest love, next to her love for Jesus, was her family. She and Ralph were rarely apart. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, while scattered around the country, were reflected in every picture frame and photo album that could be found. She loved making everyone’s favorite foods when they came to visit, and no one ever left Willie Grace’s table hungry. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Willie Grace is survived by Husband, Ralph, of the home Daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Eddie Hudson and their son, Jonathan; Mt. Pleasant, SC Daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Eddie Macon and children, Natalie and Kaylynn; Rockvale, TN Son and daughter-in-law, William and Mishael Barton and son, Austin; Forest City, MO Grandson, Michael Johnson and children Cole and Westin; Murfreesboro, TN Grandson, David Johnson and children Liam and Sadie; Murfreesboro, TN Granddaughter and husband, Carrie and Jeremy Walker, Gray, TN Granddaughter, Katie Macon, Knoxville, TN Sister Helen Miller; Chapel Hill, NC Sister Frances O’Kelley, Carthage, MO Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from around the country Her parents preceded her in death, as did sister Gerry Shuler and brother Gus Rochester. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Davenport Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oconee Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 18, 2019 prior to the service at Davenport Funeral Home. Pall Bearers: David Johnson, David Rochester, Jonathan Hudson, Mike Andrews, Jimmy O’Kelley, Michael Johnson, Micah Martin, and Austin Barton. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1405 Ebenezer Rd., West Union, SC 29696 or Prisma Health, Hospice of the Foothills, Cottingham Hospice House, Attn: Foundation Office, 298 Memorial Dr., Seneca, SC 29672 The family offers special thanks to caregivers, helpers, nurses, doctors, hospice workers and many friends who have helped so much in the past few years. The family is at the home.

Mrs. Willie Grace Rochester Barton

May 15, 1935 - December 13, 2019