Thelma T. Burton

Mrs. Thelma T. Burton, 85, of Richmond, TX and Chase City, VA entered eternal rest Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at Grace Care Center of Katy, TX. Mrs. Burton was born in Brunswick County, VA March 1, 1926 the eleventh child of Munfert and Hattie Taylor. At an early age, the family moved from Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland where Thelma attended Frederick Douglas High School. She later studied at Morgan State University graduating with a Bachelors degree in Home Economics in 1948. That same year, she moved to Montclair, New Jersey where she lived with her sister Sallie Moore and worked at Charms Candy Company. She met Hilton Burton in 1948 and they wed on December 2, 1950. From this union two daughters, Hillary and Marilyn, were born.    Thelma’s career was primarily that of a homemaker.  In later years when her children were older, she worked for Graulich’s, a privately-owned catering service, which was later acquired by Canteen Corporation.  At Canteen, she was a site manager at various locations, including Beecham Healthcare Products and Caldwell Bankers.  In the mid-70’s, she was employed at Exxon as the Team Lead for their Fleet Test Car Program.  Thelma was featured in several marketing ads and promotions for their new automotive product line.          She and Hilton retired in 1986 to Chase City, Virginia where she became active in the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, AARP, Thyne Institute Memorial, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, NAACP, and Bethlehem Baptist Church.  During the later years of retirement, Hilton and Thelma split their residency between Chase City, Virginia and Richmond, Texas where they spent quality time with both family and friends. Thelma accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Taylors’ Chapel  in Meredithville, Virginia,  and later at St. Mark’s  Methodist Church and United Presbyterian Church in Montclair,  New Jersey.  Her favorite hymnal was “At the Cross”, which she could be heard singing in both good times and bad. Cherishing her memories are her husband of over 60 years, Hilton Burton, daughters Hillary Spinks of Richmond, TX and Marilyn Burton-Jones of Katy,  TX;  grandchildren Wazzire Spinks of Katy, TX,  Burton Scott Jones of Houston, TX and Cecily Jones of New Haven, CT  and great granddaughter, Taylor Spinks of Katy, TX;  one sister, Sallie Moore Robinson of Monroe, NJ; sisters-in-law, Thelma Oliver and Teressa Coleman and brother-in-law, Lorenzo Burton all of Chase City, VA; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins spanning three generations.    Funeral services for Mrs. Thelma T. Burton will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Monday, March 21, 2011 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Chase City, VA with Rev. Dr. Ricky A. Lee, officiating. Burial will follow in the Burton Family Cemetery, Chase City, VA. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 3 until 4 P.M. at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.