Melissa Diane Barton, 56, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away on November 17, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born on October 14, 1966, in Odessa, Texas, the daughter of Herbert and Mary Lou Fletcher-Smothers. Melissa graduated from Diamond Hill - Jarvis in Fort Worth, TX. On October 12, 2007, she married James “Jim” Barton in Fort Worth, Texas. Melissa is survived by her husband, Jim; brother, Eddie “Noodle” Smothers; and her two children, daughter, Jennifer “Little” Winze and son, Jeffery Pruitt. There will be no public visitation as cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Melissa’s life will be held later. In lieu of Flowers, a GoFundMe has been set up at https://gofund.me/64ddb970 for donations. Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, is handling the funeral arrangements.