Russell Nye Barton, 54, of Nashville, TN and Dyersburg, TN, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022 at his residence in Nashville.

Russell was born on January 14, 1968, in Minneapolis, MN to Stephen Barton and Roxey Findorff. He was a graduate of Porter-Gaud High School in Charleston, South Carolina and a graduate of Emory University, where he was a Merit Scholar and a Dean's Scholar. He was a graduate in computer science from Brown Institute (Minnesota).

He attended First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg and other churches in California and Nashville. He had a passion for the homeless, minorities, and anyone who was disenfranchised from traditional society and tried to encourage and help them in any way possible. Russell provided a place for them to store their possessions, allowed them to stay in his home, even at times giving others the clothes off his back. Russell was homeless several times in his lifetime.

Russell believed in Jesus, forgiveness of sins, repentance and life after death. His writings indicate a deep motivation to be helpful. He apologized for any misunderstanding or hurt feelings that stemmed from his behavior.

Russell was an artist and has a website of his paintings which are viewable at spiritartcreations.com. He published a book of poems called Webs & Arrows. He enjoyed writing poetry, prayers and playing the guitar. Russ suffered from mental illness and addiction issues, which led him to be very active in the Recovery Community in Nashville and California.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2022 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Beth Bernheisel officiating. The family will receive visitors starting at 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his father and step-mother, Dr. Stephen Barton and Dr. Melissa Barton of Dyersburg, TN; his mother, Roxey Findorff of Mora, MN; and uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be directed to Transitions of Dyer County, P.O. Box 265, Dyersburg, TN 38025, the Salvation Army, 318 West Market Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024, to Matthew 25:40, 432 West Court Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024 or to Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development, Gift and Donor Services, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203.