Obituary of Laura Marie Barton

Laura Marie Barton (64) went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born on December 17, 1952 in Toledo, Ohio. Laura was the fifth of six children born to her father and mother, Ralph J. and Margaret (Bower) Ball. She grew up in Toledo and lived a very vibrant childhood and adolescence. She graduated from Waite High School in Toledo in 1972. After high school, she met her husband, David D. Barton and they were married on June 21, 1974. Laura began her career with Toledo Public Schools where she specialized in sign language and hearing impaired education. David and Laura also became the proud parents of Wendy M. Barton. Tragedy struck in 1990 when Laura lost David suddenly. Laura’s life took on a new purpose again in 1999 when Wendy gave birth to a son, David R. Barton. Laura loved being a grandmother and loved her grandson very much. She was fortunate enough to play a critical role in his life. Laura raised her grandson David from a young age and fought for his wellbeing. It was in 2004 that Laura and David moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma after retirement to be with Laura’s older sister Margaret (Ball) Wagner. Laura worked at Reasor’s while David attended Bixby Public Schools. She later found work at Bixby Public Schools and JcPenny’s where she enjoyed making friends and settling into her new life in Oklahoma. In 2014, Laura met Max Grier of Yale, Oklahoma. Laura and David moved in with Max and enjoyed a quiet, country lifestyle. It was during this time that Laura’s niece, Beth (Baumgartner) Crosby and her husband Brent Crosby partnered with Laura and Max to help take care of David. It was 2015 that Laura battled lung cancer which took a toll on her body but she was declared cancer free. She lived out the rest of her time in Yale, Oklahoma with Max and visits from David and will leave behind quite a legacy of stories and fun memories with all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, Ralph J. Ball and Margaret C. Ball, husband David D. Barton, sisters Martha A. (Ball) Parker and Elizabeth J. (Ball) Baumgartner. Survived by grandson, David R. Barton, sisters Barbara (Richard) Baumgartner and Margaret (Robert) Wagner and brother Joseph (Sandy) Ball. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Common Ground Church Annex at 7810 East 49th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145.