Martha passed away on June 6, 2016 in Baton Rouge, LA at the age of 85. She was born April 15, 1931 in Amory, MS to William Chester Bourland and Reba Mary Dilworth Bourland. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Mary Elinor Bourland Leathers. She is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Arthur "Tom" Burch, Ph.D., and their three sons, Larry (and wife Susan), Murray, and Edward Burch (and wife Sally), her three grandchildren, Elisabeth Claire Hotard (and husband Danny), Leslie Marie Burch, and Thomas Edward Burch; and by her great-grandson Asher Samson Hotard. She served twenty five years as an elementary school librarian in the East Baton Rouge Parish public school system. Martha earned her B.S. degree from the University of Alabama and her M.S. (plus 30) from LSU. She was an active and dedicated member of St. John's United Methodist Church, in Baton Rouge, having been a founding member of that church. She became a member of the church choir when it began and was its longest serving continuous member. She was also an original member of the United Methodist Women (UMW), served as President, and was twice the recipient of that organization's Special Mission Recognition Award. She was also an active member of the American Legion Post 58 Auxiliary, Department of Louisiana for many years. Visitation will be held Friday June 10, 2016, from 9:00 AM "“ 11:00 AM, at St. John's United Methodist Church, 9375 Highland Road, Baton Rouge followed by the funeral service. Burial to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge. Pall Bearers will be Thomas E. Burch, William Leathers, Bryan Crockett, Mike Burch, Rick Wheeler, and Dr. Ronald Wheeler, DDS. Honorary pall bearers will be Clovis Burch, Cade Carter, Gilbert McMurray, PhD, Dr. Ray Halliburton, MD, and Dr. Henry Patrick, MD.
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