Dr. Paula Griffin

The SFA Alumni Association would like to formally announce the endowment of the Barton Family Scholarship. The Barton Family Scholarship provides funds for students pursing an undergraduate degree in elementary education or a doctorate in educational leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Doyle and Pat Barton both grew up in Russellville, Arkansas. Doyle began working in retail during high school, where he met Pat. Doyle and Pat were married in 1958 and moved to Missouri and Kansas, where their daughters Paula and Deidra were born. Doyle continued in retail management while Pat continued as a homemaker raising the girls. In 1968, the Barton family moved to Sherman, Texas and began work as franchisees with Sonic Drive In. Doyle and Pat worked together in the Sonic business until they retired in 2001. Together they loved visiting their children and grandchildren.

Although neither Doyle nor Pat attended college, they recognized the value of education and made provisions for their daughters and grandchildren to pursue college educations. Paula Barton Griffin graduated from SFA with an undergraduate degree in education, a master’s degree in early childhood education, and is in the process of pursing a doctoral degree in educational leadership. Paula is currently an instructor in the department of elementary education at SFA. Deidra Barton Meyers received an undergraduate degree in business from the University of North Texas and worked in marketing and insurance fields until her death in 1999. Their grandson Sean Michael Griffin received an undergraduate degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from SFA and teaches Spanish at Hudson ISD. Their granddaughter Jenna Lynn Griffin attended SFA and Austin Community College to complete core courses. She works for State Farm Insurance in Austin, Texas.