Mary Anne Barton

Mary Anne Barton passed away at the age of 79 on August 14, 2024, surrounded by her family and a dear friend in Covington, Louisiana.  She was born on August 11, 1945 in Hammond, Louisiana, the daughter of William Marcus Bryant and Perrie Lou Milner Bryant, both of whom preceded her in death. 

Mary Anne grew up in Georgia, in the towns of Covington, Monroe and Athens.  As a young girl, she played in a Drum and Bugle Corps in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  She attended Athens High School where she served on the annual staff, was a National Merit scholar, salutatorian and a graduation speaker.  Additionally, she was one of two students from Georgia who went to the US Senate Youth Program in Washington DC.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina and was editor of the school newspaper.  She received her Master’s degree in Political Science from Tulane University. 

She married James A Barton III who preceded her death on February 19, 2012.  They were married for 31 years.  She and Jim lived and worked in New Orleans and then settled in Covington, Louisiana.  Mary Anne was a consultant and the Director of Research for a nonprofit, the Bureau of Governmental Research.  A lifelong lover of poetry and the written word, she started her own editing business, Wordsmith.  Mary Anne was the President of St. Tammany Parish’s League of Women’s Voters and was active in both New Orleans and Covington. 

Mary Anne will be remembered for her warm and artistic spirit, open heart, keen intellect, and her love of friends, family, music and New Orleans. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  She is survived by her brother, L. Marshal Bryant, and her four nieces and nephews. 

Mary Anne will be laid to rest alongside her parents in Greensboro City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Greensboro, Georgia 30642 on February 16, 2025 at 3 pm.  McCommons Funeral Home will arrange the service.  You may visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register. 

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