Linda McClure Buran

Linda, a Marietta native, was loved and respected by her family and friends for her bravery, charm, compassion, humor and positive outlook. She graduated from Marietta High School in 1964 as Valedictorian, State Star Student, and editor of the school newspaper. She received the country’s highest academic honor and a full college scholarship as one of the first Presidential Scholars named by President Lyndon Johnson. However, she decided to forgo college to marry her true love, Gerald (Jerry) Wayne Buran of Atlanta, who she met at Roswell Street Baptist Church during her Senior year, on December 19, 1964. Linda’s highest calling in life was as devoted wife and mother to her two children, daughter Tracy Buran Evens of Milton and son Mark Elliott Buran of Cumming. She attended Kennesaw State College after her children were in school and mastered accounting and financial investing. She was also a founding member of Johnson Ferry Baptist. For the past 26 years, she battled multiple sclerosis with dignity and grace. She loved to travel and was able to visit many countries with her husband before her MS kept her home.

Linda is preceded in death by her father, Elliott C. McClure, and is survived by her beloved mother, Mary Helen Cheatham McClure Blocker of Acworth. Her greatest gifts outside her own children are Tracy’s children, Abigail Leigh Evens, Zachary Elliott Evens and Luke Thomas Evens of Milton, whom she loved with all her heart to the very end. Linda also leaves behind her brother, Gary McClure and his wife Janice of St. Simons Island, brother Michael McClure and his wife Tracy of Powder Springs, step-sister Melba Irby and her husband David of Alabama, and numerous nieces, nephews and In-laws.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 25 from 2-5 PM at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta. Dr. Ron Bradley, retired pastor of First Baptist Roswell, will officiate her memorial service on Monday, April 27 at 2 PM in the Mayes Ward-Dobbins chapel with interment following at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery. Contributions in her honor can be made to the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society.