Jean Barton

Jean Barton, 85 of Fordyce, passed peacefully March 17, 2026 at her home. Born June 15, 1940 in Dallas County, to the late Robert Clark Ennis and Lillian Maxine Shrum Ennis.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Ennis and Maxine Ennis as well as a step-father, Luther Clarence Bell; husband’s, Rev. David L. Atwell and Olen Barton; one son, Bruce Ward Atwell; three sisters, Norma Wilkerson, Peggy Works, and Shirley Acchione.

She is survived by one daughter, Lisa Atwell of Dudley, MA; five grandchildren, Lesley Taylor of Fordyce, Kyle Belan of MA, Hannah Belan of CA, Ethan Atwell of WA, and Megan Atwell of TN; great grandchildren, Gabriel Rivera, Nathaniel Rivera, and Josiah Rivera.

Jean was an elementary school teacher after graduating from Arkansas State Teachers College now known as UCA, she taught in the Little Rock and Conway area before moving to many different states in the United States and also Canada. Jean came back later in life to Fordyce to care for her mother.

A visitation will be held Friday evening from 6PM until 8PM at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 10AM Saturday at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Oakland Cemetery. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net