About three years after I moved to Charleston, SC in 1995, I was out one weekend listening to the live piano music in the Lobby Lounge at the Charleston Place Hotel downtown, and someone introduced me to Hasell Barton.
Seating was limited in the lounge that night and I was taking up a whole table by myself, so Hasell invited me to sit with him and his friend, Tom. They were such good company! We talked and talked and ended up sitting together for live music many nights over the next decade or so.
Hasell was my mother's age and full of interesting stories. He served in the Air Force in WWII, and spent most of his World War II years in France. I remember how much Hasell enjoyed Veterans Day.
On Veterans Day evenings Hasell would wear his WWII Air Force uniform downtown and people would buy him free drinks all night long. They'd slap him on the back and laugh and everyone would tell war stories. Oftentimes the more colorful stories were spoken in French with a wink and a whispered "mademoiselle" or a laughing "oh là là!" towards the end of the evening, and they'd all end up singing their favorite 1940s songs as the night grew old.
We'd be at a big table full of men and women by then. Such fun! I loved hanging around Hasell on Veterans Day. You'd meet the most interesting characters.
Hasell lived down on Queen Street near the Footlight Players Theater in one of those big beautiful historic houses with his beloved cat. He did a lot of different types of work in his lifetime, but his soul was that of an artist. He loved to draw and paint. Two of his framed prints hang in my house today. I love his art.
As Hasell grew older, he'd go to listen to live music at the Best Friends Lounge in the Mills House Hotel instead of in the Lobby Lounge at Charleston Place Hotel. The Best Friends Lounge was much closer to his house and an easier walk for him. They kept a table right up front reserved for him every night. Many nights I joined him there and we had the best time listening to the music and talking about old times with old friends and new.
Yes. We all miss Hasell. By the time he reached his 90s, his health forced him to move to North Carolina closer to family who could care for him. He passed away in 2011. I will always remember him as he was in the photo below. Standing in the old and wonderful Charleston Place Hotel Lobby Lounge with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.
Rest in peace, Hasell Barton. I just know you celebrated Veterans Day up in Heaven last night. Jusqu'à ce que nous nous reverrons.
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| Hasell Barton in the old Lobby Lounge at the Charleston Place Hotel - Late 1990s |
Hasell Barton Obituary
1917 - 2011
Hasell W. Barton, 93, died on Monday, January 10, 2011 at Brighton Gardens, after several years of declining health. Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Lunch will follow in the Haywood Duke Room at the church. A private burial will be held on Friday, January 14 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pawleys Island, SC.
Born in Hartwell, GA, he was the son of Dr. David J. and Harriet C. Barton. He was a graduate of Anderson Boys High School and earned a diploma in accounting from LaSalle Institute of Chicago.
Hasell served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as an ordinance officer in the 409th Bomb Group in England, France, and Belgium, attaining the rank of Captain. At war's end, he became treasurer of C.M. Guest and Sons Construction Company in Anderson, SC, where he was active in civic and church affairs, including chair of the Red Cross chapter and Deacon and president of the Men's Bible Class at First Presbyterian Church. He was also an amateur radio enthusiast.
In 1961 the Barton family moved to Greensboro, NC, where Hasell became president of Romeo Guest Associates. In 1971 Hasell formed Barton Construction Company at Pawleys Island, SC, where he joined All Saints Episcopal Church. After being widowed in 1977, he divided his time between Pawleys Island and Charleston, SC. He retired to Charleston in 1987, joining St. Phillips Episcopal Church. In Charleston he was treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Footlight Players community theater and a member of the French Society (l'Alliance Francaise) and the Saint Cecilia Society. He was a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow. His lifetime love of Charleston and knowledge of Charleston history resulted in his becoming a volunteer guide for tourists. He studied watercolor painting in Charleston and in France, and became an accomplished artist. Hasell moved to Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Greensboro in August of 2009.
Hasell was predeceased by his wife Myra Ashley Barton in 1977. He is survived by son Jon Hasell Barton, Sr. (Jan) and daughters Jane Barton Stott (Drayton) and Betsy Barton Dunn (Russ), both of Greensboro, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorials contributions may be made to St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 142 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401 or to the Guilford County Animal Shelter 4525 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27409.
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