Obituary for Mary Burton (Reed)
Mary Reed-Burton, was born Mary Lee Reed on July 29, 1949. She was the 3rd child to James and Marie Reed. Born in Toledo, Georgia, Mary was always an adventurous and determined person. At the age of 16 she left South and moved to New York City. She completed her GED and enrolled in a nursing program where she earned her License to practice nursing in 1971 from the Central School of Practical Nursing. She attended Lehman College in 1998. Mary considered herself a native New Yorker. She loved being in and of the city! She built her family in the Bronx, New York where she met and married her best friend, Lawrence Burton. Together they built a blended family and owned a home on Wheeler Avenue. Although, she visited South many times, her heart would always call her back to the city.
A strong, loving person, for many years she gave to everyone she met. She spent 40 plus years caring for the elderly as a geriatric nurse. She was a hard worker, sometimes maintaining three jobs at a time! She gladly served the needs of the elderly for Florence Nightingale, Mary Manning Walsh and Morningside House Nursing Homes. She ended her career in nursing as a Nurse Case Manager for Senior Health Partners. She had a strong work ethic, and would always say to me, “When you put your name on something, make sure it is the best it can possibly be.” I carry these words and her love in my heart.
Everyone who knew Mary, said she was an amazing cook! She could whip up a feast for 20 people in 15 minutes with salad and all the fixings. She often talked about having a restaurant called “Mary’s Kitchen”. It would have been a scratch-kitchen with Southern delicacies, but she didn’t get the opportunity to realize that dream. She also loved to bowl. She belonged to a league of friends with whom she regularly joined in competitions around the various Bronx bowling allies. She had her own special ball and bag. When she was bowling, she meant business. Everyone on her team knew that when she came to play, her eye was on winning.
Mary was tough, and not at all shy about speaking her mind. She didn’t mince words, whether you asked for advice or not. But past that tough exterior... lay a heart of gold. Mary saw the humanity in other people, especially if they were down on their luck. I recall when Mrs. Lemon needed assistance. Mom would visit her frequently, often helping her coordinate care for herself and her aging brother. She helped her shop for groceries and organize things. She even took her to the hospital when needed. She helped as much as she could. She was a friend and a confident to the lonely. She was a loving, honest sister. She was an amazing wife and the very best mother. She was loved by her friends and coworkers, her family and her neighbors. She had an easy way of making people feel cared for. It was part of her charm.
On Sunday, March 21st, the Lord called Mary home at the age of 71. She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband, Lawrence Burton, Sr. her children and their spouses, Charlane (Nonnie Christopher) Conner, Michelle (Shawn Brooks) Gabriel, Sheridan (Scott) Gary, Enoch (Kashana) Burton, and Lawrence (Latarsha) Burton, Jr. Her grandchildren, Robert Johnson, Corwin Conner, Kadane Clark, Courtney Conner, Donavan Burton, Madison Burton, Justin Burton, Nicolas Burton, and Riley Burton; her loving mother Marie Brunswick, Her siblings James (Flora Mae)Reed, Sr., Lindsay Reed, Geneva Lee, Linda ( Johnny) Moore, Barbara ( Jessie) Redmond, Gloria (Dwayne) Everett, Marion Reed and Ruby Johnson. She leaves also to mourn her, a host of loving nieces, nephews, Ronnie Walker, Robert Walker, Michael (Denise) Reed, Christie (Marcus) Gordon, Derik (Kimberly) Clayton, Victor Reed, Latrese Reed, Steffon Reed, Jessica (Quinton) Pettway, Jacqueline Michele Reed, Alexander Johnson, and Jannie Nicole Reed. Although, she leaves behind a host of family, friends and loved ones, the love she gave to those around her can be felt even now. Rest easy Mary! We love you!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 @ 11:00 a.m. at Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church, 416 Dixie Lake Road, Folkston, Ga. 31537
Services will be live streamed for those who are unable to make the services. It will be live streamed thru the funeral home's website: royalfuneralhomeinc.com at 11:00 a.m., and if you miss the initial viewing, it will appear on the site for future viewing at a later time.
* Everyone in attendance must wear a mask and adhere to the 6ft. social distancing guidelines set by the CDC and local health department. EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED,
A strong, loving person, for many years she gave to everyone she met. She spent 40 plus years caring for the elderly as a geriatric nurse. She was a hard worker, sometimes maintaining three jobs at a time! She gladly served the needs of the elderly for Florence Nightingale, Mary Manning Walsh and Morningside House Nursing Homes. She ended her career in nursing as a Nurse Case Manager for Senior Health Partners. She had a strong work ethic, and would always say to me, “When you put your name on something, make sure it is the best it can possibly be.” I carry these words and her love in my heart.
Everyone who knew Mary, said she was an amazing cook! She could whip up a feast for 20 people in 15 minutes with salad and all the fixings. She often talked about having a restaurant called “Mary’s Kitchen”. It would have been a scratch-kitchen with Southern delicacies, but she didn’t get the opportunity to realize that dream. She also loved to bowl. She belonged to a league of friends with whom she regularly joined in competitions around the various Bronx bowling allies. She had her own special ball and bag. When she was bowling, she meant business. Everyone on her team knew that when she came to play, her eye was on winning.
Mary was tough, and not at all shy about speaking her mind. She didn’t mince words, whether you asked for advice or not. But past that tough exterior... lay a heart of gold. Mary saw the humanity in other people, especially if they were down on their luck. I recall when Mrs. Lemon needed assistance. Mom would visit her frequently, often helping her coordinate care for herself and her aging brother. She helped her shop for groceries and organize things. She even took her to the hospital when needed. She helped as much as she could. She was a friend and a confident to the lonely. She was a loving, honest sister. She was an amazing wife and the very best mother. She was loved by her friends and coworkers, her family and her neighbors. She had an easy way of making people feel cared for. It was part of her charm.
On Sunday, March 21st, the Lord called Mary home at the age of 71. She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband, Lawrence Burton, Sr. her children and their spouses, Charlane (Nonnie Christopher) Conner, Michelle (Shawn Brooks) Gabriel, Sheridan (Scott) Gary, Enoch (Kashana) Burton, and Lawrence (Latarsha) Burton, Jr. Her grandchildren, Robert Johnson, Corwin Conner, Kadane Clark, Courtney Conner, Donavan Burton, Madison Burton, Justin Burton, Nicolas Burton, and Riley Burton; her loving mother Marie Brunswick, Her siblings James (Flora Mae)Reed, Sr., Lindsay Reed, Geneva Lee, Linda ( Johnny) Moore, Barbara ( Jessie) Redmond, Gloria (Dwayne) Everett, Marion Reed and Ruby Johnson. She leaves also to mourn her, a host of loving nieces, nephews, Ronnie Walker, Robert Walker, Michael (Denise) Reed, Christie (Marcus) Gordon, Derik (Kimberly) Clayton, Victor Reed, Latrese Reed, Steffon Reed, Jessica (Quinton) Pettway, Jacqueline Michele Reed, Alexander Johnson, and Jannie Nicole Reed. Although, she leaves behind a host of family, friends and loved ones, the love she gave to those around her can be felt even now. Rest easy Mary! We love you!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 @ 11:00 a.m. at Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church, 416 Dixie Lake Road, Folkston, Ga. 31537
Services will be live streamed for those who are unable to make the services. It will be live streamed thru the funeral home's website: royalfuneralhomeinc.com at 11:00 a.m., and if you miss the initial viewing, it will appear on the site for future viewing at a later time.
* Everyone in attendance must wear a mask and adhere to the 6ft. social distancing guidelines set by the CDC and local health department. EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED,