Viola "Vi" Marie-Neil Barton

Viola “Vi” Marie-Neil (Garth) Barton, age 93, of Moberly, MO, went on to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Vi was born on February 4, 1931, in Moberly, MO, to Lawrence and Gertrude (Oliver) Garth. She graduated from Moberly High School and went on to earn a degree in nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse. She loved her career in nursing, her coworkers and most of all the residents she cared for. Vi married Norris Barton on July 7, 1983, in Moberly. They made their home in Columbus, OH, where they both finished their careers and retired. They returned to their home in Moberly in 2006 to be close to family. Norris preceded her in death on October 21, 2009.

Vi was a strong, proud and devoted Christian woman. She was an active, lifelong member of the Grant Lovell AME Church in Moberly for over 90 years. She served others in many ways, including volunteering her time to tutor youth at Project Jumpstart. Vi loved taking care of her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is remembered as a wonderful cook, making those “old time” meals that would leave your mouth watering. She loved working with her flowers and planting her garden.

In addition to her husband and parents; her two sons, Philip Vernon Lee and James “Adrian” Lee; brothers, Billy Garth and Jimmy Garth; and several close family members preceded Vi in death.

Vi leaves a wealth of friends and family that loved her dearly: grandson, Shannon (Tanya) Lee, of Jefferson City, MO; granddaughter Dalynne (Mark) Holly, of Columbia, MO; grandson, Randall (Tonya) Hinton, of St. Louis, MO. She is also survived by her precious great grandchildren, whom she loved fiercely: Shannon Lee, Jr., Jessica Lee, Jayden Lee, Cameo (Derrick) Jones, Jade Holly, Bryce Hinton; and her great-great grandchildren, Derrick, Jr. “DJ" and London Jones.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Vi on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Grant Lovell AME Church, 501 W. End Place, Moberly, MO. A visitation will be held before the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Moberly, MO.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.