Elizabeth Joy Southern Barton

Elizabeth "Joy" Southern Barton

Elizabeth "Joy" Southern Barton Houston, Texas formerly of Claiborne County, Tennessee

Elizabeth "Joy" Southern Barton-Born March 21 in Claiborne County Tennessee died Oct 7 2012 in Houston Tx. Survived by Daughters---Ronda Barton, Melinda Barton, Kelli Barton; Granddaughters-- Stacey Duncan (husband Mike Duncan) & Kelsey Skibinski; Sister---June Davis; Brother-Max Southern (wife Mary Alice Southern); Nieces---Vonda Kiplinger (husband Alan Kiplinger), Teresa Davis (husband-Tom Wallace) Kim Damron (husband Troy); Great nieces and nephews-Daniel Wallace, Ryan Wallace, Brandon Damron, Sabrina Damron, Ally Damron, Alexander Southern.

Preceded in death by Parents- Mac Southern, Mossie (Estep) Southern, Sister-Vonda (Southern) Estep; Nephew-Brian Southern.

Joy attended both Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. and LMU in Harrogate, TN. Exceptionally smart; she graduated high school at age 16 and never stopped learning. She loved to bowl and play tennis, and played every sport except football when she was younger. She enjoyed working in the garden, and cared for her own yard and did most of her home repairs herself, up until the last year of her life. She had more tools than most men have. She was a successful business owner for many years, as well as successfully raised three daughters. Joy was a devoted grandmother, and her two granddaughters were her pride and joy. She always supported her family, attended as many of their events as she could, and was unfailingly generous in her love for her family. She was the strong tower, the matriarch, the wise grandmother and mother who could always be turned to for advice, and always overflowing with love. She was, and still is, loved by her family and friends. She will forever be missed, and never forgotten.

Funeral services 11:30 a.m. Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Reece Funeral Home. She will be buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Tennessee because no matter where she lived, she always felt that Claiborne County Tn. was her home.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in her memory to:

SIRE which is an organization that improves the quality of life for people with disabilities through therapeutic horsemanship activities and therapies, and educational outreach. If you go to the link, on the 1st page is a section that says--Our sympathies go to the family of Elizabeth Barton, SIRE supporter and volunteer.

Donations in her honor can be made here. Just click on the "In memoriam button". Thank you.

http://sire-htec.org/

Donations may also be made to: The Houston Area Women's Center as she felt strongly about wanting women to have the skills to be independent.

http://www.hawc.org/