Mollie L. Burton June 05, 1927 – January 02, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Memorial service for Mollie L. Burton will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Ralph J. Alexander and Rev. Phil Jones officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
Mollie L. Burton died Wednesday, January 2, 2019 in the home she shared with Alvis Kennedy until his death in 2012. Mollie was born in London, England, June 5, 1927 to Walter and Beatrice Lawlor. Mrs. Burton was preceded in death by Joe Burton, her husband of 56 years, her eldest child, Louise Gray, her step-daughter, Betty Burton and her grandson, Conan Gray.
Mollie is survived by children, Brenda Shehan, Dr. Bonnie Burton, her twins, Maggie Burton and Tom Burton and their spouses. She will also be missed by her numerous friends and her caregivers who were with her until the end. Mollie arrived in America at the end of World War II at age 18 with thirty dollars in her pocket.
She lived in London through the Blitz driving an ambulance and working as a spotter for Civil Defense. Schools in London were closed during the war so Mollie left school at age 11. After arriving in Lawton she became a hairdresser, owning her own shop for five years.
She also studied Library Science and was a voracious reader. Her favorite memory from this time was meeting and dancing with Joe Burton. With great pride Mollie became an American Citizen in 1958.
Proud of these accomplishments her mantra was “You’ve come a long way baby! ” After passing an equivalency exam she was accepted to college where she earned an Associated Degree with high honors. Following these accomplishments she told her children “Upwards and Onward”.
In 1962 Mollie opened Burton Realty as a broker. Her company became a fixture in Lawton for 55 years until Mollie retired at age 88. Even though Mollie was a busy, successful business woman rearing five children she always had time for her community.
If Lawton needed finances for a project to benefit the city Mollie Burton was the go to person for soliciting funds. Mollie volunteered whenever needed. For more than ten years Mollie was a Golden Baton contributor to the Lawton Philharmonic and served on the Board of Directors as president.
In 2007 Mollie and Joe donated funds to make the Cameron University Student Activities Complex a reality. Mollie was a member of the Cameron University Presidents Partners and the CU Alumni Association. She also contributed to the CU School of Liberal Arts and the CU Radio Station (KCCU).
The “Mollie Burton Conference Room” at Cameron was built with a donation from Mollie. Mollie chaired the Lawton Board of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service and was named “Realtor of the Year” in 1980. For many years Mollie was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church.
She chaired the church Administrative Board and served as Finance Director for eighteen years. In 1974 Mollie took a semester off to finish her Bachelor’s Degree at Cameron. Once again she was a member of the Honors Society.
Mollie worked to improve community mental health care in Lawton. She served on the Fairgrounds Board Trust Authority, Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, the Cameron University Foundation and gave generously to Arts for All and the Lawton Community Theatre. As a charter member of the Military Officers Association of America she gave generously of her time and res to assist veterans of all wars.
She had a great love of learning and expanded her knowledge with classes, reading and travel at every opportunity. She provided every educational and travel opportunity to her children. Mollie and Joe’s efforts and donations made the Lawton Country Club possible.
Mollie was a devoted golfer and was proud to help give fellow golfers a good place to play. Mollie always praised the talents of her children. Her talents for raising money were phenomenal.
Her friends and family always knew she would be there for them. Mollie’s final instructions were – “Smile, I’ve had a good life! ” Memorial contributions may be made to Boulevard Congregational and Christian Church, 5319 W. Gore Blvd, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505.
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