Rev. Dr. Ronald Barton

Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Barton was a native of Greenville, South Carolina. He was the seventh child born to the late Mr. Willis F. Jr., and Mrs. Mary Louise Barton.

He was educated in the Greenville County School District, after graduating from Berea High School, he
furthered his education by enrolling into Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. He was also a graduate of the Morris College School of Religion with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, (Magna Cum Laude), graduating second in his class. He later received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Morris College.

Dr. Barton was licensed into the Gospel ministry when he was 15 years old by the Shady Oak Baptist Church of Greenville. He was ordained by the Mount Hebron Progressive Baptist Association of Columbia, South Carolina. His pastoral experience includes being pastor of Central Baptist of Columbia, SC where he served for seven (7) years; Shady Oak Baptist Church, (his home church) where he served for over 20 years; and planted a Ministry, Restoration Community Outreach. Dr. Barton was currently a member of Long Branch Baptist Church, where his son in ministry, Rev. Sean Dogan is pastor.

Dr. Barton has preached extensively all over South Carolina and other states as well. He has also preached on international soil, having preached in Nassau Bahamas.

He was a member of the Reedy River Baptist Association, the Reedy River Congress of Christian Education (where he served as Dean), the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (where he was a former state chairman and member of the Board of Evangelism), the Baptist Ministers’ Fellowship of Greenville and Vicinity and the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors.

Dr. Barton was an anointed musician and a gifted vocalist and songwriter. He was director of the Impact Youth Choir and a charter member of the Harold Brooker Workshop Ensemble and the Male Chorus, Inc., both of Columbia, South Carolina. He had the opportunity to play and sing with such Gospel greats as Rev. James Cleveland, Rev. Daryl Coley, Richard Smallwood, John P. Kee, Sensational Southern Echoes and many others. He was also a radio announcer for WPJM Radio in Greer, South Carolina, for many years.

He was involved in the civic arena as well. He served on the Board of Directors for the Family Self-Sufficiency Task Force of the Greenville Housing Authority, the Board of Directors for S.H.A.R.E, the Urban League of the Upstate, Senior Action, Morris College, and the Citizens Advisory Council for the Greenville County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He was a member of the N.A.A.C.P., the Morris College National Alumni Association, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Gloria Foggie, Margaret Peterson, Danny Barton, and Willis Barton, III.

Dr. Ronald D. Barton leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his legacy, his former wife and dear friend, Patricia Barton of Greenville, SC; one daughter, Ericka Kennedy of Lexington, KY; one granddaughter, Anjelica Jones of Lexington, KY; his spiritual son and daughter, Pastor Sean and Satreva Dogan, and spiritual granddaughter, Ramiah Dogan, all of Simpsonville, SC.; an uncle, Jack Rosemond; a sister-in-law, Rodessa Barton; numerous god-children; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.