Mrs. Donna A. Burton

Donna Alease Burton was born on April 12, 1948. She was the eldest of the late Thomas Eugene Keys, Sr. and Anna Louise Keys’ children. Donna, also affectionately known as, “Donnie”, received her call to glory on November 12, 2022. Donnie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior many years ago and was an active member of the Mt. Gregory United Methodist Church since 1963. Throughout her membership, Donnie served on many committees, including the Mt. Gregory United Methodist Women’s Committee, the Board of Trustees and the Annual Anniversary and Homecoming committees. Donnie was educated within the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) and graduated from Glenelg High School (GHS) in 1969. After graduating high school, she returned to GHS to start her career as a Building Service Worker. She worked for the HCPSS for nearly 40 years until her retirement as a Building Service Supervisor at the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) building in 2010. Donnie was truly a dynamic, diligent and devoted worker, who received many accolades for her superior work ethic and dedication while working within the HCPSS. Throughout her tenure within the school system, Donnie mentored and trained many under her charge at various schools including (but not limited to) Jeffers Hill Elementary School, Oakland Mills High School (“The Mill”) and Hammond High School. She also served as the Vice President of the AFSCME union. In addition to her full-time career with the HCPSS, Donnie also started her own successful cleaning service and gained her Travel Agent Certification. After her retirement from the HCPSS, Donnie went back to work as a private caregiver for the elderly and the intellectually disabled. Throughout her life, Donnie was truly a selfless person; always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. During her spare time, she loved to hold daily conversations with her family and close friends, travel and watch her beloved “stories”. She especially loved it when her nieces and nephews came to spend time with her. Donnie leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son, Sterling E. Burton, Jr.; one brother, Thomas E. Keys, Jr.; four sisters, Gwendolyn D. Williams, Renee A. Keys, Kimberly L. Moses, and Yvette O. Keys-Myers; one brother in love, Kenneth W. Myers; three nieces, Tascha F. Williams, Candice R. Keys-Fortune (George), and Alyse N. Keys; one nephew, Travis W. Myers and ten grandnieces and nephews, TaTiana, Calvin IV, Dasan, Ayden, Kailyn, Madyson, Sincere, Aniyah, Mason, and Hayven. Also left to mourn her loss include a host of extended family, friends and former colleagues. Her presence and vivacious spirit will greatly be missed by all. “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show another human being, let me do it now and not defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Mrs. Donna A. Burton

April 12, 1948 - November 12, 2022