Marcella Cook Barton

Marcella Cook Barton, lovingly known as “Mamaw,” of Marble, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 7, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 13, 1939, in Marble, North Carolina, Marcella was a lifelong native who spent her life in the mountains she loved. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose quiet strength, steadfast faith, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew her.

On April 30, 1960, she married the love of her life, Devereaux “Dedgie” Barton. They shared more than 41 years of marriage, building a home centered on faith, family, and hard work until his passing in 2001. Her family finds comfort in knowing they are reunited once again.

Marcella dedicated her life to caring for others. A homemaker for most of her life, she later earned her GED and worked briefly as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She lovingly cared for her sister, Mamie, through hospice in her own home, reflecting the compassion that defined her life. A faithful Baptist, devoted Christian, and former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, her faith guided every part of her life.

Growing up on a tobacco farm, Marcella spent her childhood playing in the fields, helping with farm chores, and getting into mischief alongside her brothers and sisters. The values she learned there—faith, hard work, and love of family—remained with her throughout her life. She found joy in life’s simple blessings and loved gardening, crocheting, writing poetry, wood carving, wood burning, sewing clothing and costumes, creating handmade crafts, and making corn cob dolls. Her family will forever cherish Sunday dinners of steak and gravy, homemade biscuits with honey butter for Papaw, cornbread and buttermilk, and afternoons spent breaking beans and shucking corn on the porch.

Though soft-spoken, Marcella possessed a quiet determination. She was never one to seek recognition, but her strength was evident in the way she cared for her family, welcomed others into her home, and quietly served those around her. Her home was always spotless, her table was always full, and everyone who walked through her door was welcomed like family.

Marcella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Devereaux “Dedgie” Barton; her parents, Ernest Cook and Florence Breedlove Cook; her sisters, Mamie Cook and Mary Cook Parker; and her brothers, Kenneth Cook, Charles Cook, and Don Cook.

She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Darcy of Watauga County, North Carolina, and Sheila Phillips of Marble, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Robert Darcy (Melissa Ross Darcy), Kelsie Darcy, Jenny Darcy McFarland (Kyle McFarland), David Phillips (Jennifer Phillips), Haven Phillips, Heather Phillips (Brad Gibb), Devan Graves (Desiree Welch Graves), and Zachary Perkins; ten great-grandchildren; her sisters, Margaret Cook Moody of Robbinsville, North Carolina, and Martha Cook Wilson of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate nurses and staff of Four Seasons Hospice for the exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they provided to Marcella and to those who loved her throughout her final journey.

A memorial service celebrating Marcella’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Cochran-McDaniel Chapel in Murphy, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will immediately follow at Moss Cemetery in Marble, North Carolina.

Though her family grieves her absence, they find peace in God’s promise of eternal life and rejoice that she is reunited with the love of her life. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the faith she lived, and the lives she touched through quiet acts of love, generosity, and service.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household… Her children arise and call her blessed.”

Proverbs 31:26–28