Joyce C. (Fulton) Burton

Longtime area resident leaves modest home to reside in beautiful new mansion in heaven

     A longtime 91-year-old Paducah and Cottle County well-known resident is enjoying the life in a brand new mansion in heaven, according to qualified sources.

     Joyce Christine Burton, the wife of the late Cletus Burton and employee of more than 30 years for Dr. Jimmy Bratton, dentist, died in the evening of March 13, 2019, in the Childress Healthcare Center. She was a resident of the facility for about three years.

     Services will be held 4:00 PM March 16, 2019 at the Paducah First Baptist Church with her oldest son, Curtis Burton of Paducah, speaking, her other son, Pastor Rick Burton of the Friendship Baptist Church in Aberdeen, MS, officiating, and First Baptist Church pastor, David Williams, concluding the graveside service in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Paducah.

     Honorary pallbearers were Richard Cranford, Kim Moore, John Utley, Steve Piper, Richard Archer, and Dr. Jimmy Bratton.

     Many knew Burton as the dental assistant for Dr. Bratton. She began working with him when he began his practice in Paducah in the early 70s. In later years, when he expanded his practice to Childress and Wellington, she continued her service with him, working in those offices. Burton retired after 34 years.

     Although her professional work was important to her, she and her husband probably were better known for their commitment and support to the youth of Paducah High School for a number of years.Not only did they attend almost all the sports events in and out of town, they often boarded the bus carrying the young athletes to their destinations, encouraging them to win with their best efforts and talents.

     Burton and her husband, a World War II veteran who was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked, emphasized that winning the sport was similar to becoming winners in life, as both really ran hand-in-hand. Affectionately, the students displayed their respect to the couple and even won championships on a number of levels, including State.    

     No doubt, said one former athlete many years later since he was on the football field, they were our genuine mentors and lifted us up at times when we were down. “Ms. Burton was always positive. She taught us that being positive was the direct way to success.”Burton also was an active member of Paducah's First Baptist Church, where she was active in almost every opportunity of service. Many have testified to her positive influence in their lives, helping them to become better individuals and Christians.

     A mother of six children recalled her story when she was having difficulty affecting the birth of her first baby. “Ms. Burton walked me around the track until I was blue in the face. Nothing happened. She then said we'll do this one more time, and if it does not work, I will give you a dose of castor oil. Thank goodness the final lap helped bring my baby into this world with Ms. Burton's coaching. She was a wonderful lady for all reasons.”

     Burton was born Jan. 10, 1928, in the Finney community in King County to B and Thelma Fulton. She attended the Finney Elementary School and was later graduated from Paducah High School in 1945. While in school and after graduation, she worked for Pat Hodge at the City Bakery. Afterwards she began working at the local hospital as a nurse, a dream come true. She worked here and the Childress hospital for a number of years before becoming a dental hygienist for Dr. Bratton. After her retirement, she committed her time to taking care of her husband who was ill and continuing her support of the Paducah youth and assisting those who needed personal help in their lives.

     Survivors include her oldest son, Curtis Burton of Paducah; another son, Pastor Rick Burton and his wife of Aberdeen, MS; a daughter, Reecie Kay Cannon and her husband of Fairfield; one sister, Jo Knight and her husband of Georgetown; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.