Fannie Louise Burton

Fannie Louise Riley Burton was the first child born to Jesse & Martha Riley on May 2, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio. In the early 1960s, she joined Lane Metropolitan CME Church under the pastorate of late Rev. Joseph C. Coles where she sang in the Children’s, Youth & Voices of Lane Choirs and participated in the Junior Stewardess and Usher Boards during her formative years. As a lifelong Missionary, she was a founding member of the Young Adult Missionary Circle that later became the Anita L. Burns Missionary Circle and served as its Historian for the past 49 years. Her Missionary service included advising the Mattie E. Coleman Missionary Circle and working on the Cleveland-Pittsburgh District. Over the years, Fannie attended many Ohio-Central Indiana Annual Conferences often participating in the Lena Jones Rice Missionary March. In adulthood, she was appointed to the Stewardess Board and served faithfully for over 50 years. She was a dedicated member of the Women’s Fellowship since its inception nineteen years ago and served as its Secretary until her demise.

Fannie matriculated through the Cleveland Public School System attending Sterling and Wade Park Elementary Schools and Addison Junior High School. She graduated from East High School in June 1966 and attended The Ohio State & Kent State Universities. She married Kenneth Williams and to this union was born one child, Terrence Erik Williams, in 1967 whom she loved dearly.

Because Fannie loved to help others, she became a nurse at various Cleveland Medical facilities prior to joining the VA Hospital Catherization Team where she built a career until her retirement in 2011. With a great passion for cooking, hosting and catering events, she was known for her scrumptious meals, cakes and pies. She also enjoyed traveling, cruising and attending the Bryant Family Reunions.

Her son, Terry, preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Doretta Riley Williamson, a daughter-in-law: Ann Marie, three grandchildren: Terika, Nathan and Lauren, five great-grandchildren: Kylie, Jamie, Lilie, Ethan and Emory, one nephew Kevin Lamont and one niece,

LaTina Charlene, six great-nieces and nephews: Marquita, Jasmine, Lamont, Kevin Jr., Siani and Kisha, and 2 great-great nieces and nephews: Yaysan and Braelyn, two dear cousins: Tommie and Jackie, two Godchildren: Shatia & Gary and a host of other family members and friends.