Elsie Mae Epes Burton

Elsie Mae Epes Burton, age 100, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and formerly of Wharton, Texas, died January, 16, 2017. She was born March 25, 1916 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Archibald and Grace Hutchison Epes. She grew up in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and was a graduate of Ouachita University where she composed the college loyalty song which is still sung today. Later in life she earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Mississippi and went on to teach high school biology and chemistry in Arkansas and Texas where many of her students were state science fair winners. She married Dr. George Christopher Burton June 6, 1937, and raised her family in El Dorado, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, James Edward Burton, her two sisters, Ellen Yocum and Virginia Burkett, and her brother, Buddy Epes. She is survived by her daughter Mary Ellen Burton Vandegrift of Little Rock and her sons, George Morton Burton of Batesville and Robert Epes Burton of Timbo, Arkansas, grandchildren Johanna Lehfeldt, Mary Virginia Kelley, Lee Ann Burton, Mary Ashley Burton, and Jordan Burton, and six great-grandchildren. Elsie was a woman of great character, wit, independent strength, and intelligence. She was an avid gardener, an ardent reader, an accomplished seamstress, and a gifted pianist who, up until recently, entertained friends and family playing the piano at Presbyterian Village. In El Dorado, she belonged to the First United Methodist Church, was an active member of the garden club and various PTA's, helped to organize the Child Study Club, a progressive education endeavor, and for years was active in the Boy Scouts, serving as Den Mother for her two younger sons. In later years in Wharton Texas, she was a mainstay of the bridge club, drove her elderly friends to appointments and entertainments, volunteered both at the library and the hospital, and helped rescue and find a home for stray cats. Funeral services will Saturday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at the First United Methodist Church, 723 Center St, Little Rock, Ark. 72201, followed by burial at Arlington Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas at 3 p.m. Memorials may be made to the music ministry of the First United Methodist Church and to the Pulaski County Humane Society. Arrangements are under direction from Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.