Jean McLain Barton

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and faithful servant of God, Martha Jean McLain Barton, 81, of Acworth, Georgia peacefully passed away on June 2, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family and many close friends.

Jean is survived by her committed and loving husband of 61 years, Vernon (Buster) Kaigler Barton, of Acworth, Georgia; sister, Ann McLain Boone of Acworth, Georgia; son, Todd McLain Barton and his wife, Kelly, of Kennesaw, Georgia; son, Grant Kaigler Barton and his wife, Laura, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and daughter, Laura Ann Barton Laughter and her husband, Judson, of Knoxville, Tennessee. She was blessed with six grandsons and one granddaughter-in-law, Alexander McLain Barton and his wife Katelyn, Andrew Houston Barton, William Kaigler Barton, Henry Pate Barton, Joseph Crandall Laughter, and Benjamin Brewster Laughter.

Jean was born on February 14, 1944 to Brewster and Zuela McLain at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. She was the younger of two daughters. She and her sister were raised in a wonderful, God-loving, Christian home on a small family farm in West Cobb. Jean graduated from North Cobb High School where she was head majorette, president of Tri-Hi-Y, a member of the BETA Club, student council, Future Teachers Club, and the school band. As head majorette and member of the Dixie All-Stars, she performed at the 1961 Orange Bowl Game in Miami, Florida. She attended Young Harris College where she met her husband, Vernon. While Jean was a stay-at-home mother, she also worked in the Volunteer Services Department at Kennestone Hospital for many years.

She grew up at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, where she was a life-long member and deacon, sang in the choir, taught youth Sunday School, and participated in many other groups and activities. Jean’s parents were pillars of their church and their community. Through their love for their daughter they instilled in Jean her strong Christian faith, her love of her husband, family, and friends, and her peaceful social nature.

Devoted wife, loving mother, nurturer of life-long friends, dedicated church member, and saint of God, Jean was, in her earlier years, also an active Square Dancer, camper, gardener, cook, painter of local scenery and images, wallpaper wizard, and pursuer of all things joyful and creative. She was an encourager and peacemaker who never said an unkind word. She knew and shared a deeper, core happiness and was a Godly woman who made everything around her more beautiful. Her large group of life-long friends were beyond loving and supportive over the many years of her illness.

Jean was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis in 1984. She and Vernon faced their 41-year journey with the debilitating disease with a committed faith, courage, and love. As time passed, Jean’s physical abilities became more limited, but their faith was never shaken. In 1993, her goal was to walk unassisted down the aisle at her oldest son’s wedding. While she accomplished this goal, shortly thereafter, she became in need of a wheelchair more regularly, then fully. They built a fully accessible house on their property in Acworth in 1995 which was later featured in Southern Living magazine. Their

home became an important part of their journey, enabling them to welcome family and friends for meals, visits, and to continue creating so many wonderful times together. As Jean’s disease progressed, her good humor and cheerfulness never faded. When Vernon’s unwavering devotion to her and her needs arose in conversation, she was fond of saying, “He is certainly fulfilling his wedding vows.” In fact, their deep devotion to one another may be the greatest gift, among many, they gave their family.

While Jean will forever be missed, memories with her and of her will forever be cherished, and her strong Christian influence will live on through her children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 6 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home & Memorial Park (2950 Cobb Pkwy N, Kennesaw, GA 30152) from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at Mars Hill Cemetery on Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church of Acworth with Pastor Bryant Harris and Pastor Will Shurley officiating. A reception will follow in the Church’s fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Mars Hill Presbyterian Church’s General Fund, Building Fund, or Food Pantry.