Day 5 of 28 Days of my Family History - my grandmother, Mary Etta Barton

My grandmother, who was a very special lady to me, was born on June 22, 1921 and passed on to glory suddenly on June 12, 2003. My grandmother was born in Meridian, MS, the oldest child of 11 born to Jeremiah and Octavia (Shumate) Cockrell. She married John Aaron Barton, Sr. on Sept. 30, 1941 and had been married 49 years when he passed in 1991. Seven children were born from this union, the oldest being my dad. She was educated in the public school system in Meridian, MS and while at T.J. Harris high school, she met and later married the love of her life my grandfather.  My grandmother worked several jobs while also taking care of her growing family.  She worked at Sinai hospital, then as a secretary at Booker T. Washington Junior High then later at Lake Clifton Senior High School where she later retired from.  She began her early walk with God after being baptized at the St. John Baptist Church in Meridian, MS.  She joined United Baptist Church in 1944 and remained a faithful member until her passing. She loved gospel music and she not only sang (and she sang!!!!) but she also played the organ and the piano for numerous churches and choirs throughout the community and served as organist at United Baptist Church for 27 years. She was one of the organizers of the Gospel Chorus, a member of the United Echoes, which was a choir formed of several members of hher church.  She also sang on a family choir called the "Family Tree" which consisted of her children and sisters and other family members.  She was a Sunday School teacher and for a time served as Sunday School Superintendent.  Sheh was a member of the Deaconess Board where she served as President for many years.  Shhe was also a member of the Pastor's Aide Ministry.  She lived a very active life. She had been a Grand Worthy Matron of the Order of Easter Star, she was a notary public and a Chief Judge for thhe Maryland Board of Elections. She was also an active member of the Coldstream Homestead Montebello Community Association. Some of my grandmother's happiest times were spent with her husband and children traveling to Rochester, New York and Niagara Falls.  I was more than happy to continue with that tradition after my grandfather's passing by continuing to drive her up to Rochester and Niagara falls several times.  She loved family gatherings and she loved to cook. I learned so many of my cooking skills from my grandmother and i'm still trying to master her recipe for cornbread stuffing from scratch. She loved her children very much and would do anything for them. One of her passions was shopping and she was known for being a great dresser from head to toe, especially her many hats and tons of shoes.  She was 81 and still wearing healed shoes.  One Christmas holiday while enjoying a family tree trimming party she was asked what was her hope for her children.  Her response was "not necessarily a long life, but a quality life...you can have a long life and not enjoy that long life.  I also hope for them to look to some of the things their ancestors have gone through and done and try to top it.  Live close to God.  When you dont have anyone to talk to, talk to the Lord." I miss her very much. She was a great lady.