Betty "Kay" Burch

Betty Kay Burch “Kay”, age 81, of Lexington, SC, passed away, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center after a brief illness, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on February 13, 1944, in Lake Hurst, New Jersey to the late James William Thompson and Beulah Evelyn Bright Thompson.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics from Augusta University, in 1969, where she met her husband, Earl. After graduation, Kay worked as a chemist in the crime lab at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Earl and Kay married in 1969, and they moved to several locations in support of Earl’s training in biological research in Oak Ridge, TN. Earl taught junior high school in Augusta, Georgia, followed by medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. Kay worked in a variety of scientific jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, Columbia, SC, Augusta, Ga, and New Orleans, LA. Kay was able to retire after Earl completed his specialty training in Psychiatry. Kay always placed Earl ahead of herself, unselfishly supporting Earl throughout his training and work career. Earl pursued an academic career in Columbia, SC, New Orleans, LA, and Salt Lake City, UT. They then returned to Columbia, SC after the birth of their grandchildren to be close to family. Kay was most proud of her son and grandsons. Kay was always active in volunteer work at Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, LA and the schools of her grandchildren, always supporting them in their activities.

Kay was highly intelligent and had many varied talents and interests. She loved dogs and always had at least one dog since childhood, leaving behind Sofi, her beloved Italian Bolognese. She rescued stray animals, and passed this love of animals to her family. She was very knowledgeable and talented in finance and enjoyed investing, strategizing and learning ways to save money. If she had to do something she was not familiar with, she studied books, podcasts, newsletters and on-line web sites. She proudly did their own taxes, better than paid accountants. Traveling was perhaps her favorite hobby, and she enjoyed planning trips, travelling the world with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. She enjoyed interior decorating and loved all things beautiful, making their home always inviting, often with treasures from her various travels. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many roles including Temple Ordinance Worker, Sunday School teacher, Relief Society President, Primary President and most recently she prepared weekly Sunday Church Bulletins.

Kay was truly a “ministering angel”, always loving others, providing service, visits, and rides. She was blessed with the ability to choose gifts for others based on their likes and needs. She was very generous with gifting to others.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Earl Allen Burch, Jr., MD of Lexington, SC; her son Jeffery Hall Brandenburg, MD, and his wife Barbara, of Columbia, SC; her grandchildren Clayton Brandenburg of Johnson City, TN and Cameron Brandenburg of Camden, SC. She was predeceased by her sister Beverly Rankin, of Bethany, Oklahoma.

Earl and Kay were married in the Temple for “time and all eternity” and they will celebrate their re-union in Heaven in the presence of God.

Visitation with Earl and family will be at Caughman Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 N. Lake Dr 29072 on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm, followed by a celebration of life service in the chapel at 3:00 pm.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation in honor of Kay to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Local or National Society that Supports Animals.