Virginia Williams Burton

Born December 7, 1920

Died September 10, 2012

Ginny Burton was born in Norfolk, Virginia to John N. Williams and Virginia Garrison as Virginia Garrison Williams on December 7, 1920. She died Monday, September 10, 2012, from complications of a stroke she recently suffered. She is survived by two sons, Joseph John Burton, Jr. and Robert Dalrymple Burton, five grandchildren, Garrison, Dal, Jr., Adelaide, Hilliard and James and one step-grandchild, Ashley Scott Armstrong. She is also survived by her sister, Joan W. Graham of Norfolk, Virginia.

Ginny was raised in the Ghent section of Norfolk, residing for much of her childhood at 419 Colonial Avenue, the building where, in 1927, her mother founded the Garrison-Williams School, now known as The Williams School. She attended the Taylor School and later St. Catherine’s School in Richmond Virginia where she graduated from high school. She then studied at William & Mary College, Norfolk Division, which later became Old Dominion University, for two years before marrying a young naval officer, Joseph John (“Jack”) Burton, in February 1944. She moved with him, after his first tour of duty in Europe, to Portland, Oregon and later to San Francisco, California. In San Francisco, where she lived for two years, Ginny became a “war bride” volunteering and serving in the Red Cross, caring for and assisting wounded veterans for the rest of World War II.

Ginny and Jack moved to Atlanta in 1949 to the Collier Hills section of Buckhead, where they began to raise their family. Born with a strong desire to help others and always very independent, she became actively involved in local volunteer and charity work at the following: the Junior League of Atlanta; the Atlanta Zoo (where she served on the board); the Atlanta Humane Society; the High Museum of Art; the Atlanta Botanical Gardens; the Atlanta Symphony; and Hillside Cottages, a home for battered and homeless women and their children, where she became the President and Executive Director. She was exceptionally proud of her Virginia roots and was a member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America and the Historical Society of the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. She was an active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church for over sixty years.

Later in life and looking for new challenges, Ginny started her own business, European Rental Houses, LLC, after traveling extensively in Europe. In the age before the internet, ERH quickly became known among the residents of Atlanta as the “go to” advisor for a perfectly orchestrated European vacation. Before recommending any locale or accommodation, Ginny had personally visited each and every one.

In her later years, Ginny’s travel centered around her native Virginia to visit family and friends. She had a particular affinity for her home place in the Tidewater area of Virginia and its famous Chesapeake Bay oysters and seafood. She also enjoyed attending the symphony, events at the Botanical Gardens, and spending time with her family.

Ginny was a proud, independent Virginian who, even at 91 years of age, spoke with a soft Tidewater accent. Her travels, curiosity about people, the world and current events kept her mind active and made her an engaged member of her retirement community.

Her request is that, in lieu of flowers, tax exempt donations be made to The Williams School, 419 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23507. Information about the school can be found on the internet at http://www.thewilliamsschool.org/. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 14, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. The family will receive friends at a reception to be held at All Saints immediately following the service.