Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN where her family attended the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain, TN, Barton attended Girls’ Preparatory School and Hollins College, graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Tennessee. She moved to Memphis as an assistant buyer for Goldsmiths’ Department Store. Her career path was filled with different companies, but always in the role of “salesperson.” Whether “selling “for Goldsmiths, United Cerebral Palsy, The Principal Financial Group, Risk Assessment Laboratory, or her own floral design busines, she learned that most careers are about relationships.
As a young girl, Barton was part of the Junior Altar Guild of her parish because girls were not allowed to be acolytes! In Memphis, she initially attended Saint John’s Episcopal Church, serving on the flower guild and as Sunday School teacher. She and her sons, Alexander and Webster Canale, moved to Holy Communion in 1986. While working full time during weekdays, she enjoyed working with the Flower Guild on Saturdays. Barton married Mike Lynch in 1999. Soon, Mike and Barton were asked to help lead the Acolyte Program. “I am still carrying the torch for this ministry that we both loved,” says Barton. In addition to serving as vestry member and acolyte mentor, Barton participates in the Floral Festival Ministry, More than a Meal, and Supper Clubs.
Barton’s hobbies include golf, gardening (anywhere), Mah Jong, flower arranging, Pilates, walking, dogs, reading historical fiction and mysteries, and being involved with ladies’ organizations and friends. She also holds a judging position with the Garden Club of America. But Barton says her real passion is her children, Alex and Webster, daughter-in-law Lyndal, grandchildren, Mae and Kain, and her dog, Beau (as well as the six other dogs she has loved).