Betty Barton's Obituary
“Historic Loss”
Lisbeth (Betty) Stahl
Aunt Betty Mysel
Betty Barton-Broadway & Stage Name
Betty Barton of Miami Beach, Florida passed away into heaven on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Betty was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Harry & Jennifer Stahl. Loving mother of Myer Mysel and Melodee Mysel. It all started in the Gospel Church when mom was 5 years old. I asked mom why the Gospel Church? Mom said we were so poor. The church gave out free chicken. The preacher observed that mom really loved music. He asked mom if she would like to be in the choir. Mom was white, big blue eyes & blonde hair in an all-Black choir. The Steel Pier in Atlantic City in the late 1930’s had a show called Daddy Dave’s Kid Show. Mom was 10 years old. The opening act was mom, Frank Sinatra, Sammy David, Jr. & Eddie Cantor. A Hollywood movie star asked, who is that woman with the big voice? Mr. Canter was told the woman is a little girl. Mom was moved up to the Big Show upstairs at the Steel Pier and was in the Big Show from then on! Hollywood came to see mom and wanted to take her. Our grandmother Jennifer (Zilbert) Stahl said no to Hollywood. Mom was only 10 years old “1937”. As time went on, mom started performing at the 500 Club at Dude Ranch in Atlantic City. Mom married our father Mr. Ben Mysel. In 1955, their marriage failed. We moved to Vineland, NJ. Mom then took off big. She had the lead in Gypsy & Gentleman Prefer Blondes (Off Broadway). Harry James and the Big Band came to our home and blew up the whole block. Vineland, NJ was never the same in a wonderful way Music mom started to coordinate orchestras with the best union musicians on the planet for major events & Gala’s all-over South Jersey. We moved in 1960 to Miami Beach, Florida. Our grandfather, Mr. Harry Stahl owned a Deli in Little River & 12th Street, Beer & Wine on 12th St. & Washington Ave, Miami Beach.
When mom found out that Frank Sinatra & Sammy David, Jr. were the headliners at the Fontainebleau Hotel “Away We Go”. Mom changed her name from Betty Mysel to “Betty Barton”. Mom was the headliner at 3 hotels: The Seville Beach Hotel, Atlantic Beach Hotel & the National Hotel. It was pure paradise to see mom so happy! On her birthday, mom was working at the Atlantic Hotel at 26th & Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Mom you really had to be at the “Top” of your game for Liberace to visit you! Mom then opened up the Betty Barton Swing Lounge at the old Roney Plaza Hotel. The hotel closed. It was all about “Fashion” in the 1960’s, a magazine called “Panorama”, the same as Ocean Drive Magazine. Mom was all over that magazine call “Panorama”. Wherever mom worked & everything she did, media was all over her. All the time mom’s legacy God, prayer, music, laughter, hard work, excellence to succeed, love America in every neighborhood we lived. Mom will “Never Be Forgotten” in the most positive & wonderful way. Mom was flat out “Great”, the best of the best! My sister Melodee Joy Mysel and me, Myer Butch Mysel are the most blessed children on Earth! When you’re 96 years old, no one knows about you until today. Betty Barton is a “True Historic Loss” to the City of Miami Beach and Atlantic City, New Jersey. We “Love and Honor You Always”.
OX OX OX
Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700. Service Private.
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