Parton, David (1900-1979)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

DAVID PARTON: born in Cleobury Mortimer, Salop, on 20th December 1900 of a staunch Methodist family. His father was a Local Preacher and Society Steward. His schooling was cut short by the First World War and he entered his father’s bakery and grocery business at fifteen. He began to preach in 1920, was urged to offer for the ministry by the Rev. J. Pearce and entered Hartley College in 1922.

Called out of college to supply at Norwich he afterwards served in the following circuits: Plumstead, Clitheroe, Bakewell, Blackburn (Trinity), Nottingham (South), London (Ilford), London (Thornton Heath), London (Brixton Hill), Barnet, Chichester and Bognor, and Maldon, before retiring to Worthing. After nine happy years there he moved, with his sister, to Queenswood M.H.A., Nottingham. 

His mother’s secret prayer that one of her sons should be a minister was amply fulfilled in David. He was meticulous in everything he did, whether it was preparing for his services, visiting and caring for his people, or tending his garden. For seventeen years he was Journal Secretary of Conference: ‘my contribution to posterity’ he quipped. He was twice President of the local Free Church Council. He loved preaching and his people loved to listen to him. Five young men heard their call to the ministry through his influence. He enjoyed writing hymns and poems for special occasions. His lively spirit and keen sense of humour made him a popular host at the Holiday Homes and Guest Houses of Methodism.

The twinkle in his eye remained, even when, just over two years before his death, his sight began to be impaired. Gradually from that time he faced increasing pain and weakness with the sure faith which he had communicated to his people over the years of his ministry. He made his Lord real to others because he was so real to him. David never married, but throughout most of his ministry he was graciously and lovingly upheld by his sister, Olive Grove. Tragically widowed in 1930, she and her two sons made their home with him. She was a tower of strength to him right to the end, and shared fully in his ministry. 

He died on 18th March 1979 in the seventy-ninth year of his age and the fifty-fifth year of his ministry.

Family

David was born on 20 December 1900 at Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, to parents Thomas Parton, a baker, and Martha Annie Davies.

David died on 10 March 1979 at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1924 Norwich II
• 1925 Plumstead
• 1928 Clitheroe
• 1930 Bakewell
• 1934 Blackburn
• 1938 Nottingham S
• 1944 London Ilford
• 1948 London Thornton Hill
• 1953 Barnet
• 1958 Chichester &c
• 1963 Maldon
• 1966 Worthing

References

Methodist Minutes 1979/81

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers