Obituary of Mrs. Martina Barton 1889-1981

Services for Mrs. Martina Barton, 92, retired teacher in the Brookhaven and Lincoln County public schools, will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. from Bethel AME Church. Rev. Stanley J. Carter will officiate at the services. A wake will be observed at the church Thursday from 7 p.m. Williams Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Barton died Oct. 10 in King's Daughters Hospital. She was a native of New Orleans and had been a long time resident of Brookhaven. Mrs. Barton attended the public schools in New Orleans, New Orleans University, and Strait College and later attended Jackson State University. She had retired from the teaching profession 22 years ago. She was a member of Bethel AME Church and at the time of her death was an honorary member of the board of Stewards.

Mrs. Barton was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Lee Barton, and four children. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mary Dickey, Brookhaven and Mrs. Evelyn Barnes, New Orleans; a son, Ernest Barton, New Orleans; three grandchildren, Mrs. Rita D. Lewis, Brookhaven, Dr. Audette Patternson, New Orleans, Mrs. Rose M. Brooks, Chicago. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Samuel Barton married Martina Jones 27 Jun 1903, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The couple's children per the census records were: Bertran, Sam, Jr., Amile, Lionel, Evelyn, Ernest, and Mary. Martina Jones Barton was born 25 Oct 1889 in Louisiana, died 10 Oct 1981. Sam died in 1960. Both were buried in the Carver Heights Cemetery in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Sam nor Martina are related to me. They were members of the same church, Bethel AME Church, my Markham family members attended.

Martina is pictured in a photo here - The Ladies of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Sources:
Daily Leader Oct 14 1981
Photograph from Find A Grave

The Ladies of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

First Row: Ms. Pinkie Wilson, Mrs. Gladys Winston, Mrs. Addie Mae Cameron Tillman, Mrs. Edna Pinkney, Mrs. Durr (my paternal cousin's wife), Mrs. Frances Stanton, and Mrs. Beatrice Markham Johnson (my maternal grand aunt).

Second Row: Mrs. Lisann Durr Roundtree (my paternal cousin), Mrs. Beulah Ann Williams, Mrs. Lula Mae Thomas, Mrs. Annie Mae Manson, Mrs. Martina Barton, Mrs. Willie Mae Thomas, and Mrs. Emma Jane Winston.

Third Row: Ms. Cora Bell Benson and Mrs. Edith Lee Washington

"This is a photo of the Women's Missionary Society of Bethel AME Church. The photo was taken for a Souvenir Journal to host the 1968 Annual Conference of the Mississippi Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church." Dexter Holloway

The church is located in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Photo Courtsey of Dexter Holloway

Eudora Markham Coleman's Record of Funeral

Every document we find on our ancestors can provide additional information about their lives and deaths. Grandaunt Eudora "Dora" Coleman died, 27 Sep 1948, at King Daughters Hospital in Brookhaven, MS. She was married to Henry Coleman who was also the informant.

Dora had burial insurance which paid for a third of the funeral cost. She received a complete funeral at a cost of $335. The family paid $210. She received a casket with an engraved plate but because the services were not itemized, I am not sure which of the other items listed were included.

The funeral was held, 03 Oct 1948, on a Sunday afternoon, 2pm, at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Cousin Reverend Frank James Durr was the clergyman.

How does Eudora connect to my family tree?
Eudora Markham Coleman and my maternal grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were sisters.

Sunday's Obituary - Willie Louis Markham 1888-1971

It has been appointed that man must die and often death to judgement, and the Lord has
told us, "To be ye also ready for you know not the hour that the Son of man cometh," and Willie Louis Markham took note of that. He was born to Mary and Monroe Markham on December 23, 1888, in Caseyville, Mississippi.

Years ago he accepted Christ as his personal savior and united with the Zion
Chapel A.M.E. at an early age and married Fredonia Culver. To this union six
children were born of whom three preceded him in death. He later moved near Galilee
A.M.E. and joined. He served as superintendent of Sunday School, class leader, and
sang in the choir.

He later moved to Brookhaven and joined
Bethel A.M.E. Church, where he was a member
for over forty years. He served in various
capacities including Steward and Sunday School
Superintendent. He loved to sing hymns and
enjoyed coming to church until failing health
prevented his doing so.

One of his favorite pastimes was reading
the Bible. He felt he was in close communion with
God when he was reading his holy truths. he
believed that God was just and that God was
fair. he loved his home and he worked hard
to provide for his family; he was a good
husband, a kind father, a quite peaceful
neighbor. But regardless to our worth we
must go. He is survived by his wife, Fredonia,
a daughter Willia Mae Smith and two sons
Robert and Arthur Markham, ten grandchildren,
and one great grandchild. He also leaves three
sisters, one brother and other relatives and
friends.

Funeral held at the Bethel A.M.E. Church in
Brookhaven. Rev. E.J. Billups, officiating
minister. Interment, Carver Heights. Central
Funeral Home handle arrangements.

Uncle Willie loved to play the piano. He lived next door to his sisters and when we went for visits, I remember Uncle Willie playing the piano. Uncle Willie was my mother's uncle.

Obituary and photograph from the personal collection of the late Jessie Mae Markham.