Shirley Burton

Shirley Jean Burton, age 84, passed away on December 22, 2018 in Biloxi, MS. Beloved daughter of Betty and "Rabbit" Page, she was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC and a resident of Biloxi.
She was named for Jean Harlow and Shirley Temple.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Burton; daughter, Joni Lynn Burton; and her parents, Clabrone and Betty Page.
She is survived by her three sons, Donald Keith Burton, Jr. "Keith", James Stephen Burton "Steve", Kenneth Wayne Burton "Kenny"; 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ellen Page Moyseowicz; and a special aunt, Edna Sherrow of Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
Mrs. Burton was of the Methodist faith and belonged to Beauvoir United Methodist Church in Biloxi.
Shirley was a talented dancer and singer; staring in multiple performances though out her high school life in RR and Woodland, NC; while still in high school she taught dance lessons and choreographed performance. Along with voice lessons she sang on the radio in Washington DC in 1944 and 1945.
Visitation will be from 10:30 - 11:30 AM on Friday, January 4, 2018 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Rd. Biloxi followed by a graveside service at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave. Biloxi, MS.
An online obituary may be viewed, and memories and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com
From her Special Aunt Edna
We were almost twins.  We were "sisters."  She was born to my oldest sister when I was just three months old.  My Mama was her Mama and my sister was her Mother.  We grew up together except for a period during WWII when she and her Mother moved to Washington, DC.  while her dad served in the Coast Guard.  She returned to RR and we got to share our junior and senior years of high school.   Her real sister, Ellen, was born when we were seniors at RRHS.  Then she went off to college and I went to Washington to work as a secretary.  We were twice blessed when she and Don arrived in Germany not once but twice to share tours of duty there  with the US Air Force.  Our children got acquainted early and remain "close family."  When we retired in NC and  we moved to Florida, we were close enough to visit for the day and spent many times together.  We shared special vacation trips to England and Ireland and back to our home in Roanoke Rapids.  Jean often  cautioned me to take good care of myself because we had to take care of each other.  We were able to talk about many things together that we could not talk about with anyone else.  I treasure artwork she gave to me   She painted beautifully  in oils and  pastels and on china. I will forever hold her close in my heart.