Nancy Barton

Barton, Nancy Jane Palmer, age 93 went to be with the Lord on June 28, 2014. She was born June 30, 1920 in Lancaster Pennsylvania – the adopted daughter of Terrence and Nellie Trout Palmer. Nancy grew up in Blacklick, Pennsylvania – graduating from high school at age 15, and college at age 19. After attending Indiana State Teachers College and NYU, she taught music in in the West Newton school system for 5 years. She then became a flight attendant for Pennsylvania Central Airlines – flying the 21 passenger DC3. Her career with the airlines brought her to Birmingham where she met and married “Buzz” (Clarence W. Barton).

Nancy’s passion for music and the musical gifting’s the Lord gave her were obvious to all who knew her. She served as pianist/organist/choir director for numerous churches in the Birmingham area including Gardendale First Baptist, First Baptist of Birmingham, Gardendale Presbyterian, and Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian. One of her greatest joys was the time she spent working at Baptist Medical Center Princeton with Dr. John Sims. Not only was she his secretary, but as his vocal accompanist, they spent many hours at the hospital ministering to patients and employees. She truly loved going to the hospital on Christmas Eve, and playing for all of the employees who were spending Christmas at the hospital.

At age 93, she was still going strong with her music – playing at the Hoover Senior Center three times a week, and for Wednesday night Bible study at Lakeside Baptist.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Clarence. She is survived by her daughter Jane, and her niece Alice York.

The family will receive friends at Ridout’s Valley Chapel on Wednesday, July 2nd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The Funeral service will be on Thursday, July 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church with burial at Elmwood Cemetery following.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations may be made to Big Oak Ranch or Alabama Baptist Children’s Home

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.