Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Hope Burton, in 1992. She is survived by their son Thomas Ray Burton (Anush), their daughters Janice Burton Cline and Barbara Burton Ries; their grandchildren Alison Cline Beechner (Paul), Stephanie Hope MacLeod (Ross), Rachel Ries (Michael) , Shannon Ries, Andrew Ries; and great-grandchildren Lucas Beechner, Arianna Beechner, and Everly Beechner; and her two grandpups Bella and Souci.
Gloria was born April 12, 1924 to John and Nellie Patti in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her family moved to Madison when she was in high school, and she attended University of Wisconsin, Madison. At home, her parents always had a house full of people, and at family gatherings the accordion was played and everyone would dance at home. This love of dance is how she met Hope Burton. The USO dances for the stationed troops were a weekly event for Gloria where she volunteered as a hostess. She married Hope Ray Burton in September 1944 in St Louis, Missouri where he was stationed. A year later, they welcomed their first child, Thomas Burton. They moved to Tennessee, where they then had their daughters Janice and Barbara. She was an active volunteer: a Girl Scout leader, PTA president, and a member of the Garden Club. For several years she would cook the Wednesday night dinners at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, and everyone was welcome to join. She was awarded Life Master in Duplicate Bridge by competing in local, regional, and national-rated events. In later years, Gloria and Hope built their dream house on twenty acres of land where they grew fresh vegetables from their garden and cooked meals for the family. Her children and grandchildren would have lasting memories of this farm as a place of joy and family.
The family would like to thank Theresa Ford for her loving care for Gloria and Hope in the last years of their lives.
A reception to honor the life of Gloria will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee. A Committal Service will be held in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. following the reception.
