The daughter of Blanche and Clyde Joyner, she was born in Louisburg on February 20th, 1921, raised in Wake Forest and graduated from Wake Forest High School. She began working in the dental supply business and became a long time Raleigh resident. During World War II she served as a riveter, helping to build aircraft to defend the USA.
She was married to the late Carl Macon Burton of Raleigh, founder of Burton Dental Laboratory Inc.
After raising a family she returned to work in retail operations and eventually joined her husband in the dental lab business.
She is remembered for her kindness, grace, generosity and warm smile. She loved working in her garden, walking in the neighborhood, and being a friend to all. She was a member of a local garden club, the Fairfax Hills Amity Club and White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the Keenagers Senior group and the Church Circle.
The family is forever grateful to the angels at Elsie’s Place in North Raleigh for their loving care during her final years, as well as those with Transitions LifeCare.
Ella Mae’s husband, Carl and her son Gregory Macon Burton preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Steven Joyner Burton of Raleigh and his wife Renée Whetzel Burton, son Carl Randall Burton of Duck, NC; daughter-in-law Mary Jane Kelly Burton of Richmond, grandchildren Travis N. Burton of Raleigh, Brandon J. Burton of Minneapolis; Chelsea M. Burton and Hannah E. Burton of Richmond; and nieces Jane Tilley Barton of Augusta, GA and Nancy Tilley Avery of Atlanta.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 10th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 11th at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh. The committal will follow at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh.
Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
