Albert Lee (A. L.) Bartley

Albert Lee Bartley (Poppie), went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 23, 2016 at the age of 91. In his final days, he was cared for by the amazing staff at Cornerstone Gardens in Temple. “Poppie” was born March 10, 1925 in Ladonia, Texas, to Claude Meredith Bartley and Cordelia Bell McFarland. He was a proud graduate of Ladonia High School, where he was a member of the 1942 Regional Championship Ladonia Rattler football team. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during World War II.  During his 36 year career at Lonestar Gas Company, he held many positions and was Regional Manager of the Texoma region at his retirement. He married Dorothy June Goodson on June 27, 1962 in Greenville, TX.  Al was a loving and devoted husband to Dorothy for their 54 years of marriage.  The couple was blessed with their only child, Abbie Lee Bartley, on July 16th, 1965.  She was the apple of his eye from day one and Al cared for and spoiled Abbie for the rest of his life. Al and Dorothy have been residents of Temple for the past five years, but were formerly longtime residents of Sherman.  While in Sherman, Al and Dorothy were active in Hospice fundraising and were members of First Baptist Church where Al was a Deacon. Al was a devoted Christian and shared the love of God with anyone near him. He was a Rotarian and a 32nd degree Mason, one of his proudest accomplishments.     Al was an incredible wood worker and artist. He enjoyed creating unique wooden projects large and small and sharing them with his family and friends.  He was also a talented storyteller, sharing many original stories with his grandchildren through the years. His caregivers at Cornerstone Gardens were also blessed with many of “Poppie’s stories” during his time as a resident there. Al was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Vache, Tom and Ebb; two sisters:  Helen and Mozelle, as well as his nephews: Elbert, Bill Tom and Neuman; and nieces: Sue and Debbie.  Survivors include his wife:  Dorothy June Goodson Bartley of Temple, his daughter, Abbie Atkinson and husband, Tim of Temple and three grandchildren: Rachel Marcinek and husband, Kevin of Austin, Reese Atkinson and wife, Taylor of San Antonio and Meredith Atkinson of Temple; as well as three special  nieces:  Mischa, Marilyn, and Bip, and many great-nieces and nephews and their children.   Poppie loved his family and never missed a chance to tell each of them how proud he was of all of their accomplishments. The entire family will dearly miss their Uncle Al and their Poppie and will remember him for his positive attitude, sense of humor, and devotion to the Lord. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 28th at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Anthony officiating.  Burial with military honors will be at 2:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.