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Sis Marlene Burton, Zion's mother of many, passed away from this
life to the next in the early morning of January 4, 2009 after
having suffered a double stroke the preceding week. Sis Burton was a
special person with a meek and quiet spirit, and a continual smile
on her face. Through the years, she played the piano for the Burton
Singers, as well as for her husband. She had a beautiful
voice and a unique style of piano playing. She ministered to many
people by using her musical gifting for the glory of God.
Mother of fifteen
children, as well as many foster children, she dedicated her life to
being a homemaker and to the service of her husband and children,
and most importantly to her Lord, Christ Jesus. After Bro Burton
suffered a stroke a few years ago, Sis Burton kept constant watch
over "Dad", attending to his every need. No task was too small or
too large, and never did she seem to complain.
She attended Buxton
Avenue Church of God, where she worshipped the Lord with her four
sisters and brother. See family photo below.
Members of the Gospel
Outreach Ministry have stayed in close contact with the Burtons,
visiting them in their home and periodically worshipping with them
at the Buxton Avenue Church of God. They have been a tremendous
source of encouragement to us and Sis Burton will be sadly missed by
all.
Below (and playing in
background) is a familiar
song that the Burton Singers sang for many years. How
appropriate are the words for this time.
I shall fall asleep
some day and from earth shall pass away,
But my soul shall reach a better land.
All the things of life shall fail as we pass through death’s dark
veil,
And God’s way we clearly understand.
When I wake up,
wake up on glory,
And to Jesus will sing redemption story.
Oh, I shall see Him face to face who has kept me by His grace,
When I wake up in glory by and by.
When my weary
eyelids close and I slump to sweet repose,
Singing hallelujah as I go.
All my sorrows will be past I’ll be free from care at last,
And I’ll leave my troubles here below.
Obituary in Springfield News-Sun on January 5, 2009:
BURTON,
Marlene Marie 77, of Springfield, went to be with the Lord,
Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. in her residence. She was
born October 19, 1931 in Springfield, the daughter of Marcellus
and Edna Mae (Davis) Cooper. She attended Springfield High
School. She was a devoted wife and mother of fifteen children.
As a young woman, Marlene sang with her sisters in a group
called the Cooper Sisters. They sang on WIZE Radio for the Negro
Business Hour in Springfield. In 1970, Marlene and her husband
formed the Burton Family Singers. Marlene taught all of her
children to sing. The Burton Family Singers sang locally to
teenage inmates at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.
The family also sang in churches throughout the United States.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Harlen
Edward and their children: Melanie (Charles) Clark, Harlen Eric
(Carrie) Burton, Pamela (Bobbie) Jones, Paula (Michael) Duncan,
Jonathan (Sylvia) Burton, Celeste (Kelvin) Gaskins, Thomas
Burton, Rhoda (Gregory "Sarg") Linton, David (Debbie) Burton,
Joel Burton, Angela (Zac) Coaston, Charles Burton, and Peter
(Della) Burton. She also leaves four sisters: Una (Paul)
Peterson, Shirley Robinson, Pat (Gene) Mitchell, Donna Beverly
and one brother Jerry (Patti) Cooper; forty-six grandchildren;
ten great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and
friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother
Marion "Bud" Cooper, and two daughters, Jill Forbes and Bethany
Burton. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 6, 2009 from 5-7:30
pm with a memorial service immediately following at Possum Road
Church of God, 1601 West Possum Road in Springfield. The funeral
service will be held at the church on Wednesday, January 7, 2009
at 11 am. Burial will be at Ferncliff Cemetery. The LITTLETON &
RUE FUNERAL HOME is serving the family. You may express
condolences to the family at
www.littletonandrue.com
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