Frances Gatewood Burton 09/11/1943 – 06/06/2022
Edgar Thomas Burton, Sr. 10/23/1940 – 06/16/2022
In life as in death, she was always 10 steps ahead of everyone around her. So, in classic fashion, she departed first and waited once again for her beloved husband to follow. And he did, as usual, take his own sweet time to join her. Ten days after she made her final exit, he departed to be reunited with his one true love. The moment they joined hands in marriage, nothing could separate or break them. The most challenging of times (and as any couple committed to one another, they faced many) only proved to strengthen them and bring them closer. We watched them grow more deeply in love as each year passed. While the outward expression of that love was vastly different, what they felt internally was the same depth and breadth of unconditional love.
He was outwardly affectionate, loving, doting and her knight in shining armor that most women only dream of. She was a rock, a caretaker, and unwaveringly devoted and loyal. She was never overly effusive but when she did speak, her words carried a weight beyond impact and measure.
He called her beautiful, darling, and precious angel, and was emotionally effusive and physically affectionate. She called him her handsome love bug which spoke of a thousand stories of a life shared and a love that endured all of life’s mountains, peaks, valleys, joys and sorrows, heartbreak and rejoicing. Who they were, all they accomplished both individually and together, all the lives they impacted in big and small ways, were all the chapters they lived together in what was ultimately the book of their epic love story. If you knew them, I suppose somewhere in your heart, you’ve always known that when they released hands for the very last time, we would be left to grieve them together.
Join us in our final goodbyes as we celebrate their victory and mourn our loss together as children, neighbors, family, and friends.
Service to be held at Eastside Baptist Church on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 10:30 am.
Reception to be held at the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers – donations may be made in their memory to Eastside Baptist Church (Missions Fund) and Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you choose to honor them via another nonprofit, please consider one of your own that focuses on providing services or care to children (2-18). Their greatest love, impact, and dedication beyond their faith were on the lives of countless children and their legacy will linger for generations to come.
Eastside Baptist Church – 1220 E. Bryan St. Douglas, Ga. 31533
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital -262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/
In Gratitude,
Pam Burton