Obituary for Mary Beth Barton (Tunnell)
Mary Beth Tunnell Barton of Cross Plains, TX passed away July 19, 2020.
A graveside service will be held Friday, August 07, 10:30 AM at the Cross Plains Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Reverend Kevin Morton.
Mary was born October 03, 1932 in Rising Star, Texas to the late Fred Vaughan Tunnell and Minta Wyatt Tunnell.
On December 20, 1953, she married Cecil Alvin Barton.
Mary was both an artist and a teacher of art. When the family moved to Bellville, she taught junior high English. In 1970, her dream of creating a high school art program came to fruition. As one student wrote, “She was beloved and respected by her students.” Many students won awards and Mary was so proud of their achievements.
Another student sent the following message:
“More than just being an art teacher, she was the kind of teacher who made a difference in the lives of her students. Many of her students went on to become art teachers due to her influence in their lives. She taught her students about the beauty of art in their lives but more than that, she was the kind of teacher that could make her students see how beautiful they were.”
When she and Cecil moved to McAllen, she continued to focus on her art. Throughout the years, her watercolor paintings won numerous awards.
After several moves, she and Cecil returned to Cross Plains, TX. They were active in the community and most importantly, their church. Evidence of her love for the Methodist Church can be seen in the stained-glass windows she designed. She also helped design the rock cross in front of the sanctuary.
Mary continued to paint and give lessons through the early 2000’s.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Alvin Barton, their son, James Randall Barton, her brothers Fred and Jack Tunnell and one niece, Julie Tunnell Reynolds.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Lea Ann and her husband, Paul Stasney. She is also survived by her grandson, Joshua Ryan Barton, his wife, Christian and their sons, Brayden, Jason, Jax, Connor and Liam as well as two nephews, Tom and Jack Tunnell, one niece, Carolyn Tunnell and Wyatt cousins,
Friends who wish may consider a memorial gift to the Food Ministries or The Glory Bees. Both are affiliated with The First United Methodist Church of Cross Plains, TX. Memorial gifts may be mailed to PO Box 160, Cross Plains, TX 76443.
A graveside service will be held Friday, August 07, 10:30 AM at the Cross Plains Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Reverend Kevin Morton.
Mary was born October 03, 1932 in Rising Star, Texas to the late Fred Vaughan Tunnell and Minta Wyatt Tunnell.
On December 20, 1953, she married Cecil Alvin Barton.
Mary was both an artist and a teacher of art. When the family moved to Bellville, she taught junior high English. In 1970, her dream of creating a high school art program came to fruition. As one student wrote, “She was beloved and respected by her students.” Many students won awards and Mary was so proud of their achievements.
Another student sent the following message:
“More than just being an art teacher, she was the kind of teacher who made a difference in the lives of her students. Many of her students went on to become art teachers due to her influence in their lives. She taught her students about the beauty of art in their lives but more than that, she was the kind of teacher that could make her students see how beautiful they were.”
When she and Cecil moved to McAllen, she continued to focus on her art. Throughout the years, her watercolor paintings won numerous awards.
After several moves, she and Cecil returned to Cross Plains, TX. They were active in the community and most importantly, their church. Evidence of her love for the Methodist Church can be seen in the stained-glass windows she designed. She also helped design the rock cross in front of the sanctuary.
Mary continued to paint and give lessons through the early 2000’s.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Alvin Barton, their son, James Randall Barton, her brothers Fred and Jack Tunnell and one niece, Julie Tunnell Reynolds.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Lea Ann and her husband, Paul Stasney. She is also survived by her grandson, Joshua Ryan Barton, his wife, Christian and their sons, Brayden, Jason, Jax, Connor and Liam as well as two nephews, Tom and Jack Tunnell, one niece, Carolyn Tunnell and Wyatt cousins,
Friends who wish may consider a memorial gift to the Food Ministries or The Glory Bees. Both are affiliated with The First United Methodist Church of Cross Plains, TX. Memorial gifts may be mailed to PO Box 160, Cross Plains, TX 76443.