Daryl Farris Bartley, age 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2021, after a long illness. He was born to Jack and Opal Bartley on July 10, 1944, in Monroe County, Kentucky.
Bartley was a husband. A father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. A son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend. A farmer, a horseman, a steward, and a provider. If you want to know what kind of man he was, just look to his name. “Daryl” is an old English aphorism meaning “dearly loved.” Farris is a bygone British adage for “iron strong.” And Bartley is a classic Scottish expression for “meadow.” Mix those three things together and you have a strong, salt-of-the earth man who was loved by his family and friends.
Namesakes aside, Massey Ferguson’s in the fields, Mountain Dews in the fridge, and good horses in the barn lots—those were some of Pa’s favorite things. He loved to hear a trusty red tractor fire up, a barking blue heeler heel ‘em down, and a good foot-tappin’ Bluegrass tune spin around. He loved to see Holsteins in the hollows, black baldies in the bottoms, and long leaves in the “baccer” barns. He also thought highly of a good-gaited horse, a well-mannered half-linger, and a big Belgium that’d pull like bull but not rip your arms off in the process. To him, true horsepower was meant to be felt in the reigns—not in the steering column.
So whenever you drink a Dew in the shade, hear a good Bluegrass song, or show a good horse at the State Fair, remember Daryl. Those were the kinds of things that’d put a smile on his face. The family hopes his memory puts one on yours.
He is preceded in death by parents, Jack and Opal Bartley, and brothers, Jackie and Phillip Bartley. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Pace Bartley of 54 years. He is lovingly remembered by three children, including Chantal (Marty) Honeycutt of Glasgow; Tommy (Liela) Bartley of Summer Shade; and Joey Bartley (Paula Winchell) of Summer Shade; seven grandchildren, including Joshua (Kathryn) Honeycutt of Alvaton; Brooke Honeycutt of Glasgow; and Jack, Lane, Ella, Kade, and Kolt Bartley of Summer Shade; one great granddaughter, Rosie Honeycutt of Alvaton; three siblings, including Margie (Junior) Shelley of Glasgow; Gary (Brenda) Bartley of Eighty Eight; and Morris (Tammy) Bartley of Glasgow; and several nieces and nephews.
Under direction of McMurtrey Funeral Home, visitation is at Hickory College Church of Christ on Highway 640, 4 miles from Summer Shade on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 3 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 8 a.m. until the funeral. The funeral will also be held at Hickory College Church of Christ on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 1 p.m. Service by Minister Mark Parks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his name.
