Mary Lea (Mills) Barton

1938—2025

Mary Lea Barton, 87, of Tomahawk, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 20, 2025, at Highlands ARH in Prestonsburg.

Mary leaves a legacy of at least 150 grandchildren, spanning grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her legacy will continue for generations to come.

Born March 22, 1938, in Davisport, she was the daughter of the late Hershel Mills and Attie Mollett.

She was a Head Start aid for the Martin County School System for many years, as well as a nurse’s aide at many nursing homes in Kentucky and Ohio.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her late husband of 27 years, William H. Barton; three sons, Kenneth L. Barton, William H. “Bill” Barton, Jr. and Daniel R. Barton; two grandchildren, Tamara Litton and Rosa Litton; one grandson, Phillip Butcher; two sisters, Francis Runyon and Sandra K. Johnson; three brothers, Carlos Mills, James Wheeler Mills and Don Mills.

Mary leaves behind her six children, Della Barton Sherman of Boonescamp. Sandra (Randall) Barton Spence of Tomahawk. Maudie Barton Litton Spence (special friend Bill Bowen) of Tomahawk. Judy Barton (and special friend Ernie Hurt) of Floyd County, Carlos Barton of Tomahawk and Timothy Barton of Boonescamp. She also leaves behind three brothers, Archie (Lou Carol) Mills of Springfield, Ohio. John Mills and Clarence Mills, both of Tomahawk, and a host of nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

A special thank you to Kristyn Sherman Staton, one of Mary’s many beloved grandchildren who spent the last two years working at the Martin County Health Care Facility where Mary resided. Kristyn would check in on Mary every day, spending time with her and making sure Mary was well taken care of. Mary loved her Shea-Bug and wouldn’t want her commitment to her to go unnoticed.

Funeral services took place Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Crum Funeral Home in Inez. Burial followed at the Barton Cemetery in Tomahawk.